11 Indians Arrested In US For Staging Fake Robberies To Get ‘U Visa’
Authorities in the United States have arrested 11 Indian nationals for allegedly staging fake armed robberies in an attempt to fraudulently obtain the country’s special crime-victim visa known as the U Visa.
According to federal investigators in Boston, the group allegedly planned and carried out multiple staged robberies at small businesses, including convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food outlets. The suspects are now facing charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
The accused allegedly planned at least six fake robbery incidents.
During these staged crimes, one person would act as the “robber,” entering a shop with what appeared to be a firearm and taking cash from the counter.
The entire act was designed to look real on CCTV cameras, investigators said. Employees inside the store, who were part of the scheme, would later claim to be victims of a violent crime.
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Authorities also found that after the staged robbery, those inside the shop deliberately waited several minutes before calling the police, allowing the fake robber to escape and making the incident appear genuine.
The scheme was allegedly designed to help participants qualify for the U Visa, a special visa issued by the United States to victims of serious crimes who cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
Investigators said people involved in the scheme paid money to participate in the staged robberies so they could later claim victim status and apply for immigration benefits.
The organiser of the scheme collected payments and distributed money to shop owners who allowed their businesses to be used for the fake robberies.
Six suspects, Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel, were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston.
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Four others, Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel, were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. They are expected to appear in federal court in Boston later.
If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 and supervised release, under US federal law.
The investigation was carried out with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and immigration authorities, along with local law enforcement agencies in several states.
(With inputs from NDTV)
