10 Indian Nationals indicted in US visa fraud conspiracy

Boston [US], April 11 (ANI): Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a conspiracy to carry out staged armed robberies of convenience stores for the purpose of allowing store clerks to falsely claim they were crime victims on immigration applications.

The defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint in March 2026, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

The accused have been identified as Jitendrakumar Patel (39), Maheshkumar Patel (36), Sanjaykumar Patel (45), Dipikaben Patel (40), Rameshbhai Patel (52), Amitabahen Patel (43), Ronakkumar Patel (28), Sangitaben Patel (36), Minkesh Patel (42), and Sonal Patel (42).

Authorities stated that while most of the accused were residing unlawfully in various parts of the United States, one had already been deported to India. Two others have been taken into immigration custody.

In a statement, the United States Attorney's Office said all 10 defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint and released on conditions. Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel have been taken into immigration custody.

The defendants are subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.

This case stems from an investigation into Rambhai Patel, the organiser of the scheme, and getaway driver Balwinder Singh, both of whom were charged in December 2023 and later convicted in May 2025.

According to the charging documents, in March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least six convenience/liquor stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere.