US charges 11 Indians for staging fake robberies to obtain U category visas
India Today
Prosecutors say the scheme was designed to exploit the U visa programme, which offers protection and a path to a Green Card for victims of certain crimes.
As many as 11 Indian nationals living illegally in the United States have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after allegedly staging armed robberies at convenience stores in an attempt to secure immigration benefits, US federal prosecutors said.
According to the United States Department of Justice, the accused allegedly organised fake robberies so that store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for immigration relief.
The individuals charged include Jitendrakumar Patel (39), Maheshkumar Patel (36), Sanjaykumar Patel (45), Dipikaben Patel (40), Rameshbhai Patel (52), Amitabahen Patel (43), Ronakkumar Patel (28), Sangitaben Patel (36), Minkesh Patel (42), Sonal Patel (42) and Mitul Patel (40).
Authorities said all were residing unlawfully in various states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.
Six of the accused – Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul – were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday before being released.
Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear before a federal court in Boston at a later date.
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