Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An Indian national living unlawfully in New York was sentenced in Boston federal court for organizing staged armed robberies as part of a visa fraud conspiracy. Rambhai Patel, 38, received a sentence of 20 months and eight days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He must also forfeit $850,000. Upon completion of his sentence, Patel faces deportation.
Patel pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. He was charged alongside Balwinder Singh in December 2023.
According to prosecutors, beginning in March 2023, Patel and Singh arranged at least 18 staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants across the United States. At least five incidents occurred in Massachusetts. The purpose was to help store clerks falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes when applying for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa), which is available to certain crime victims who assist law enforcement with investigations or prosecutions.
During these incidents, the "robber" would threaten employees with what appeared to be a firearm and take cash from the register while being recorded on surveillance cameras. Store clerks or owners waited until the perpetrator left before calling police. Participants paid Patel for inclusion in the scheme; one person reportedly paid $20,000 to pose as a victim during a staged robbery. Patel then compensated store owners for using their businesses as locations for these events. Authorities say he earned approximately $850,000 through this operation.
At least two individuals involved submitted U Visa applications based on their claimed victimization during these fabricated robberies.
Singh pleaded guilty in May 2025 and is scheduled for sentencing on September 24, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement.” Assistance came from several agencies including FBI field offices in New York and Seattle; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; state police; multiple district attorney’s offices; and various local police departments across several states.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto are prosecuting the case.
