Source: US FBI
Defendant staged armed robberies so that “victims” could apply for immigration benefits in exchange for thousands of dollars
BOSTON – An Indian national, unlawfully residing in New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for staging armed robberies in furtherance of a visa fraud conspiracy.
Rambhai Patel, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun 20 months and eight days in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and forfeiture of $850,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Patel pleaded guilty to on one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. In December 2023, Patel was charged along with co-conspirator Balwinder Singh.
Beginning in March 2023, Patel and his co-conspirator set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least 18 convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the United States – including at least five in Massachusetts. The purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the store clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa). A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
During the staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video. The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before calling police to report the “crime.” The “victims” paid Patel to participate in the scheme. One purported victim paid $20,000 to participate as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. In turn, Patel paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery. Patel earned approximately $850,000 in the scheme, all of which he is required to forfeit as part of his sentence.
At least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies.
Singh pleaded guilty in May 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of New York and the Western District of Washington; FBI’s New York and Seattle Field Offices; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Massachusetts State Police; Worcester County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hingham, Marshfield, Randolph, Weymouth, Worcester, Upper Darby, (Pa.), West Pittston (Pa.), Louisville, (Ky.) and Bean Station (Tenn.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.