A federal court in the United States has sentenced an Indian national for his role in a visa fraud scheme that involved staging fake armed robberies to support fraudulent immigration applications.
Mitul Patel, 40, of Worcester, Massachusetts, received a sentence of one day in prison, was ordered to pay a fine of USD 1,000, and will be deported from the United States after pleading guilty to visa fraud. The sentencing took place in a US District Court in Boston.
According to court records, Patel admitted his involvement in a conspiracy that organized staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants. The scheme was designed to help individuals falsely claim they had been victims of violent crimes, allowing them to apply for a U Visa, a special immigration benefit available to genuine victims who assist law enforcement in criminal investigations.
Authorities stated that the conspiracy began in March 2023 under the direction of Rambhai Patel and involved multiple participants. At least six businesses across Massachusetts and other locations were reportedly used to stage fake robberies.
Investigators revealed that Mitul Patel paid to participate as a supposed victim during a staged robbery at a Worcester convenience store in October 2023. During these carefully planned incidents, an individual posing as the robber allegedly threatened store employees with what appeared to be a firearm, removed cash from the register, and fled the scene while surveillance cameras captured the entire event.
To make the crimes appear authentic, store clerks reportedly waited several minutes before contacting police. These reports were then intended to support fraudulent U Visa applications by portraying the participants as victims of violent crimes.
Federal prosecutors also alleged that participants paid Rambhai Patel to arrange the staged robberies, while business owners were compensated for allowing their premises to be used in the operation.
The larger conspiracy had already resulted in convictions for Rambhai Patel, identified as the organizer, Balwinder Singh, who acted as the getaway driver, and the individual who carried out the staged robberies. Those convictions were secured in May 2025. Mitul Patel, along with ten other individuals connected to the conspiracy, pleaded guilty in June 2026.
The case highlights the growing efforts by US authorities to investigate and prosecute immigration fraud schemes that misuse humanitarian visa programs intended to protect genuine victims of crime. Officials continue to warn that fraudulent activities not only violate immigration laws but also undermine the integrity of programs designed to assist those who truly need protection.
Law enforcement agencies have reiterated that individuals who knowingly participate in fraudulent immigration schemes can face criminal prosecution, financial penalties, imprisonment, and removal from the United States.
