BOSTON, MA — Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, both from New York, have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. The arrests occurred on December 13, 2023, with Patel apprehended in Seattle and Singh in Queens, New York.
The charges, stemming from an elaborate scheme starting in March 2023, involved staging armed robberies at various convenience and liquor stores, as well as fast-food restaurants across the United States, including four in Massachusetts. The alleged intent was to enable store clerks to apply for U nonimmigration status (U Visa) by claiming they were victims of violent crimes.
During these staged incidents, a “robber” threatened store personnel with what appeared to be a firearm, stole cash from registers, and escaped. The crimes were recorded on surveillance cameras, with the so-called victims delaying police notification to ensure the perpetrator’s escape. Patel allegedly coordinated these events, receiving payments from the “victims” and compensating store owners for using their premises.
Both Patel and Singh have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Patel, currently detained pending trial, is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, following his initial appearance in the Western District of Washington. Singh, after his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York, appeared in federal court in Boston yesterday.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, guided by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.