The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday arrested 10 Indian nationals for their alleged involvement in fake armed robberies in four US states. The FBI reported that the accused participated in staged robberies, which allowed the victims to obtain immigration benefits under the U Visa category.
The US U Non-Immigrant Visa is for victims who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement agencies. The FBI said 11 Indians have been charged in connection with the fake armed robberies. Of these, 10 were arrested, while the eleventh accused was sent to India.
what is the whole matter
This series of incidents began in the year 2023, in which fake armed robberies took place at 6 stores (liquor stores and fast food restaurants) in Massachusetts. According to the FBI, the method used in such alleged robbery incidents remained the same. Before running away with the cash, the robber used to threaten the shop owners with a gun and this incident was always captured in the shop’s CCTV cameras. The victimized shopkeepers would then wait for 5 minutes or more to inform the police, ensuring that the robbers would have fled by then.
what the officials told
During investigation, FBI found out that these incidents of robbery were fake and they were carried out by Rambhai Patel and his associates. Apart from this, the victims allegedly paid Patel money to participate in this scheme. Patel also used to give money to shop owners in exchange for using their shops for fake robberies. Authorities revealed that the robberies were carried out to benefit the victims, who were clerks or owners, so that they could become applicants for U non-immigration status.
who were arrested
Jitendra Kumar Patel, Mahesh Kumar Patel, Sanjay Kumar Patel, Amitaben Patel, Sangeetaben Patel and Mitul Patel were arrested in Massachusetts and released after a preliminary appearance in a Boston court, officials said. Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio.
Officials said that the robber Rambhai Patel and the driver who helped him escape had earlier been charged and convicted. The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, which carries a punishment of 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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