An Indian-origin man, Mitul Patel, has pleaded guilty in a US court for his alleged role in an organised visa fraud scheme in which participants staged armed robberies to falsely present themselves as crime victims and obtain U visas.
Under US immigration law, a U visa is available to foreign nationals who are victims of certain qualifying crimes, have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse, and have assisted law enforcement authorities in investigating or prosecuting those crimes.
According to prosecutors, Mitul Patel was part of a network allegedly led by Rambhai Patel, who was convicted in May last year. Court documents state that Mitul Patel paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the conspiracy and was assigned the role of a victim during a staged armed robbery at a store in Worcester, Massachusetts, in October 2023.
Investigators allege that, beginning in March 2024, the group organised staged armed robberies at at least 6 convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants across Massachusetts and other US states. Authorities claim the incidents were carefully planned, with store owners and the purported victims knowingly participating in the scheme.
According to investigators, the fake robberies involved individuals threatening store employees or owners with firearms before taking cash from registers and fleeing the scene. The incidents were intentionally captured on surveillance cameras, while store operators allegedly delayed contacting police for several minutes to allow the supposed robbers to escape.
Prosecutors further allege that the purported victims paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the scheme, while he compensated store owners for allowing their businesses to be used as locations for the staged robberies.
Authorities said 10 other individuals charged in the case were allegedly residing illegally in the United States. All 10 accused, along with Mitul Patel, are awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for July.
Investigators continue to examine the broader network to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged visa fraud conspiracy. Officials said digital evidence, surveillance footage, financial records, and communication data remain central to uncovering the full extent of the operation as the investigation continues.
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