Former President Joe Biden’s border crisis continues to uncover layers of jaw-dropping fraud, including elaborate schemes to report fake crimes so the alleged “victims” could apply for a special type of visa.
Ten Indian nationals—all with the last name Patel—have been indicted for another phony robbery scheme in Massachusetts, allegedly to illegally obtain visas and commit immigration fraud.
Prosecutors allege the co-conspirators staged armed robberies at convenience and liquor stores, so store clerks could falsely claim they were crime victims and apply for U-Visas.
Federal authorities brought federal charges against five Louisiana men, including four law enforcement officers and an Indian business owner with the last name of Patel, in July 2025 for a similar U-Visa fraud scheme.
Crime victims who have suffered mental or physical abuse or assisted law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity can apply for U non-immigration status, also known as a U-Visa.
The 10 defendants from India were indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Boston for the scheme. Prosecutors pursued charges after the organizer and “robber,” Rambhai Patel, and the getaway driver, Balwinder Singh, were convicted in May 2025.
The same group was previously charged by criminal complaint in March and are illegally in the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in District of Massachusetts.
They were unlawfully residing in several states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. It’s unclear if any of them are related.
They are each accused of one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, of Marshfield, Massachusetts.
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts.
- Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, of Quincy, Mass.
- Dipikaben Patel, 40, deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52, of Eubank, Kentucky.
- Amitabahen Patel, 43, of Plainville, Massachusetts.
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28, of Maryland Heights, Missouri.
- Sangitaben Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts.
- Minkesh Patel, 42, of Perrysburg, Ohio.
- Sonal Patel, 42, of Perrysburg, Ohio,
Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel are in immigration custody, and they are all subject to deportation pending any conviction or sentence imposed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
An eleventh defendant, Mitul Patel, 40, unlawfully residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, was named in the criminal complaint last month. They were all initially taken into custody and released on conditions, according to a news release.
According to the charging documents, the case stems from an investigation into Rambhai Patel, the organizer of the scheme, and getaway driver Balwinder Singh.
Rambhai Patel and Singh were charged in December 2023 and pleaded guilty in May 2025 for their roles in the conspiracy.
In March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators concocted a plan to stage armed robberies of at least six convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere to obtain fraudulent visas.
During the crimes, Rambhai Patel, acted as the “robber,” threatening store clerks and owners with a firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing.
The clerks waited several minutes until the alleged “robber” was long gone before calling police to report the “crime.” The incident was also captured on store surveillance video.
The alleged “victims” reportedly paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the scheme, so they could apply for the U-Visa. The store owners also received money for the use of their stores for the staged robbery.
The 10 defendants are accused of either working with Rambhai Patel to set up each robbery, or paid for themselves or a family member to participate as a “victim.”
Two New York men, Rambhai Patel & Balwinder Singh, have been arrested by #FBI Boston's Violent Crimes Task Force on charges related to visa fraud. They allegedly staged armed robberies so that "victims" could apply for immigration benefits. Learn more: https://t.co/WLGYAK17Zd
— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) January 2, 2024
Following the bogus robberies, the clerks lied and said they were victims of a violent crime to apply for a U-Visa, which is a special visa for victims of certain crimes.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also provided pivotal assistance to the visa fraud investigation, leading to the federal grand jury indictments of the 10 Indian nationals.
If convicted, they each face a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
In a Louisiana case, allegedly corrupt law enforcement officers were federally indicted on charges of bribery, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, and mail fraud, following a federal investigation initiated by USCIS.
The 62-count indictment describes the defendants nearly decade-long scheme, alleging they produced false police reports so that the illegal aliens who were the purported victims of the robberies could apply for U-Visas.
KALB News published an update on Monday, indicating Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, a main defendant in the Louisiana case, will have a change of plea hearing on May 8.
Patel previously pleaded not guilty to 34 total counts of money laundering (8 counts), mail fraud (24 counts), bribery (1 count), and conspiracy to commit visa fraud (1 count).
He is one of five defendants charged in the alleged immigration fraud and money laundering scheme. Patel reportedly helped facilitate the scheme and received money from the illegal aliens seeking U-Visas.
Patel owned a Subway sandwich franchise and other businesses in Oakdale, Louisiana, and allegedly paid multiple state police chiefs to falsify crime reports for immigration benefits, according to court documents.
KALB News reported Special Agent Austin Witmer with Homeland Security Investigations said about 300 direct petitioners were given U-Visas as part of the scheme and applications for over 650 U-Visas were filed.
In court, HSI Special Agent Alexandra Leonard testified that Patel admitted his involvement in the scheme after an almost two-hour interrogation.
Patel is the only defendant who has remained behind bars since these arrests because, according to authorities, he is considered a flight risk. Patel is reportedly an Indian citizen, had applied for American citizenship and was on Advance Parole status before his arrest, KALB News reported.
