An Indian national residing in the United States has admitted to orchestrating a series of fake armed robberies across multiple states to help individuals illegally secure immigration benefits. Rambhai Patel, 37, based in New York, pleaded guilty on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun in Boston to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for August 20.
According to federal prosecutors, Patel, along with co-conspirator Balwinder Singh, staged at least nine fake robberies at convenience stores and restaurants, beginning in March 2023. Five of these incidents took place in Massachusetts. The scheme was designed to create false scenarios of violent crimes so that individuals posing as victims could apply for U nonimmigrant visas (U Visas)—a special category granted to victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement in investigations or prosecutions.
Surveillance videos from these staged events show actors pretending to be robbers, brandishing weapons, seizing cash, and fleeing the scene. The so-called victims, who had paid Patel large sums—up to $20,000 in at least one instance—would delay reporting the crime to the police, making the incidents appear more credible. Patel allegedly paid store owners for access to the premises to carry out the hoaxes.
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Authorities have confirmed that at least two individuals filed U Visa applications using these fabricated incidents as evidence. Patel was formally charged in December 2023. His co-conspirator, Singh, is scheduled to plead guilty on May 22.
The charge against Patel carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Patel is also subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence.
The case was jointly investigated by the FBI and U.S. immigration enforcement agencies, with support from local law enforcement departments in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
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