BOSTON: A 40-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty in a US federal court to visa fraud after participating in a staged armed robbery designed to help him obtain a U visa, a special immigration benefit available to victims of certain crimes.
Mitul Patel admitted his role in the scheme before a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. His sentencing is scheduled for July 29. Ten other individuals were charged in connection with the conspiracy in March 2026.
According to US court documents, Mitul Patel paid Rambhai Patel, the alleged mastermind of the operation, to pose as a victim in a fake armed robbery at a convenience store in Worcester in October 2023.
Rambhai Patel was convicted in May 2025 for orchestrating the fraudulent scheme.
How the staged robberies worked
Federal prosecutors said Rambhai Patel and his associates organised staged armed robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations beginning in March 2024.
Under the scheme, a fake robber would enter the store, threaten employees with what appeared to be a firearm, steal cash from the register and flee—all within the view of surveillance cameras to create convincing evidence of a crime.
Store owners and employees who acted as victims were allegedly aware of the plot. After the fake robber escaped, participants reportedly waited several minutes before contacting police to report the incident.
Investigators said individuals seeking immigration benefits paid Rambhai Patel to participate as victims, while he, in turn, compensated store owners for allowing their premises to be used in the staged robberies.
Authorities allege that the ten other individuals involved in the scheme were all living in the United States illegally.
Others charged in the case
The individuals previously charged include:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36
- Sanjaykumar Patel
- Dipikaben Patel, 40 (deported to India)
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52
- Amitabahen Patel, 43
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28
- Sangitaben Patel, 36
- Minkesh Patel, 42
- Sonal Patel, 42
What is a U visa?
A U visa is a non-immigrant visa available to victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and have been helpful, or are willing to assist, law enforcement authorities in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.
US authorities allege the staged robberies were carried out specifically to fabricate evidence that participants were crime victims, enabling them to fraudulently apply for U visas. The case remains under investigation.
