US Visa: How 2 Indian Men Faked Robberies to Cheat

Two Indian men have been charged in the United States for orchestrating a series of staged armed robberies designed to defraud the U-visa system, which grants immigration benefits to crime victims who assist law enforcement.

According to federal prosecutors, Rambhai Patel, 37, and Balwinder Singh organized at least 18 fake robberies across multiple states since March 2023, including five in Massachusetts. In each case, an accomplice posed as a robber, brandished a firearm, and fled with cash, while store owners were compensated for allowing their premises to be used. The “victims” then applied for U-visas using fabricated police reports.

Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and was sentenced on August 20 to 20 months in prison, two years of supervised release, forfeiture of $850,000, and deportation. Singh, who also pleaded guilty, is scheduled for sentencing on September 24.

Authorities warned that the fraud undermines the credibility of the U-visa program, which was created to protect genuine victims of crime.