The Big Con: Indian National Pleads Guilty in Elaborate Staged Robbery Scheme for Immigration Benefits

A New York resident has admitted to orchestrating fake armed robberies across multiple states in an elaborate scheme to help immigrants fraudulently obtain U.S. visas, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Rambhai Patel, 37, an Indian national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud in U.S. District Court in Boston. He faces up to five years in prison when sentenced on August 20, 2025.

The Scheme

Between March 2023 and his arrest, Patel worked with co-conspirator Balwinder Singh to stage at least nine armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants across the United States, including five locations in Massachusetts.

The elaborate scheme targeted the U visa program, which provides immigration relief to victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement. During the staged robberies, a fake “robber” would brandish what appeared to be a firearm, threaten store clerks or owners, take cash from registers, and flee while surveillance cameras captured the encounter.

The “victims” would wait at least five minutes before calling police to report the fake crime. One participant paid Patel $20,000 to be victimized in a staged robbery, while Patel compensated store owners for allowing their businesses to be used in the fraudulent scheme.

At least two participants successfully submitted U visa applications based on these fabricated crimes, according to court documents.

Singh, Patel’s co-conspirator, pleaded guilty on May 22, 2025, and is scheduled for sentencing on September 11, 2025.

This case represents part of a disturbing trend of criminals exploiting the U visa system, which Congress created to protect genuine crime victims while encouraging their cooperation with law enforcement.

The conspiracy to commit visa fraud charge carries severe penalties: up to five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Both defendants also face deportation after completing any prison sentence.

“Protecting the integrity of the immigration process is a priority for USCIS,” officials stated in announcing the case.

About U Visas

The U visa program provides immigration relief to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity. The program has annual caps and is designed to encourage immigrant crime victims to report crimes without fear of deportation.

However, these staged robbery schemes represent “the ultimate in visa fraud,” exploiting a system designed to protect genuine crime victims.

Federal authorities encourage anyone with information about suspected immigration benefit fraud to report it using the USCIS Tip Form.