Eleven Indian citizens have been charged in the United States with allegedly conspiring to stage armed robberies at convenience stores so that store clerks there could falsely claim to be victims of crime and apply for visas.
US prosecutors alleged that as part of the conspiracy, the store clerks were to claim that they were victims of violent crime on their applications for U non-immigration visas. The visas are meant for victims of crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse, and who have been helpful to law enforcement.
An Indian man named Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators had in March 2023 staged armed robberies in at least six convenience stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts, as well as more such incidents elsewhere, according to the charging documents. Rambhai Patel was in August held guilty by a court in Boston and sentenced to 20 months and eight days in prison.
On Friday, 11 others were charged for either helping to stage the robberies, or to pay for themselves or a family member to take part in the conspiracy as a purported victim.
Of those charged on Friday, Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel were arrested in Massachusetts. Four others –Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel – were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio, the office of the US Attorney, District of Massachusetts, said.
Another woman, Dipikaben Patel, has been deported to India.
If convicted, those charged may face up to five years in prison and fines of $2,50,000.
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