Two Indian nationals have been caught in a complex scheme to defraud the U.S. visa system by staging armed robberies. The scheme, orchestrated by Rambhai Patel and Balwinder Singh, involved staging robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants across the United States, including at least 18 incidents, with five specifically in Massachusetts.

The motivation behind these staged robberies was to enable store clerks and owners to fraudulently apply for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa). The U visa is reserved for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. By staging these robberies, Patel and Singh aimed to create a false narrative of victimization, allowing individuals to exploit the U visa program.

The staged robberies typically involved an individual posing as the robber, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, taking cash from the register, and fleeing the scene. These interactions were deliberately captured on store surveillance video to create the illusion of a real crime. To further enhance the deception, the store clerks or owners would wait several minutes after the "robber" had escaped before reporting the incident to the police.

In exchange for participating in the scheme, the "victims" paid Patel a significant sum of money. Reports indicate that one individual paid as much as $20,000 to be falsely cast as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. Patel, in turn, compensated the store owners for allowing their establishments to be used for these fraudulent activities. It has come to light that at least two individuals submitted U Visa applications based on these fabricated incidents.

The scheme began to unravel, leading to charges against Patel and Singh in December 2023. Patel pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. On August 22, 2025, Patel was sentenced to 20 months and eight days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Furthermore, he was ordered to forfeit approximately $850,000, representing the earnings he accrued through the fraudulent operation. Upon completion of his sentence, Patel will be subject to deportation. Singh also pleaded guilty in May 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated that Patel earned approximately $850,000 through the scheme, all of which must be forfeited. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI Boston. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case highlights the vulnerability of the U.S. visa system to fraud and the lengths to which individuals will go to exploit it. Authorities warn that such fraud harms genuine victims of crime and may prompt stricter vetting processes, while legal counsel emphasizes early defense to mitigate immigration consequences.