Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Massachusetts in connection with a scheme prosecutors say involved staging armed robberies to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits.

According to the Department of Justice, the individuals were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

The defendants include Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, unlawfully residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts; Maheshkumar Patel, 36, unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, unlawfully residing in Quincy, Massachusetts; Dipikaben Patel, 40, who was deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts; Rameshbhai Patel, 52, unlawfully residing in Eubank, Kentucky; Amitabahen Patel, 43, unlawfully residing in Plainville, Massachusetts; Ronakkumar Patel, 28, unlawfully residing in Maryland Heights, Mississippi; Sangitaben Patel, 36, unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts; Minkesh Patel, 42, unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio; and Sonal Patel, 42, unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Authorities said all ten defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint and released on conditions.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel have since been taken into immigration custody.

The remaining defendants are expected to face deportation proceedings following sentencing.

Charging documents identify Rambhai Patel as the organizer of the scheme and Balwinder Singh as the alleged getaway driver.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Prosecutors allege that, along with co-conspirators, they orchestrated a series of staged armed robberies at convenience stores across Massachusetts.

The alleged incidents took place in March 2023 and involved at least six convenience store locations.

Officials said that during the staged events, an individual posing as a robber would enter the store, threaten the clerk with a firearm, take money from the cash register, and flee the scene.

Investigators allege that the store clerks involved in the scheme would intentionally delay contacting law enforcement.

According to court documents, clerks would wait at least five minutes to ensure the individual acting as the robber had left the area before calling police.

Surveillance cameras inside the stores captured the staged robberies, and prosecutors say those recordings were used by participants to support immigration applications.

Authorities allege that the individuals involved in the scheme sought to obtain U non-immigrant status visas, commonly known as U Visas.

These visas are available to individuals who are victims of certain qualifying crimes, have suffered mental or physical abuse, and have been helpful to law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.

According to the indictment, the ten defendants paid Rambhai Patel to take part in the scheme as supposed victims of the staged robberies.

In turn, Patel allegedly paid store owners to allow their businesses to be used as locations for the staged incidents.

Federal officials said the scheme relied on creating the appearance of legitimate criminal activity in order to meet eligibility requirements for U Visas.

By presenting themselves as victims of violent crimes and providing evidence such as surveillance footage, participants allegedly attempted to secure immigration benefits under false pretenses.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case remains under investigation, and federal authorities have not released additional details regarding potential additional charges or other individuals who may have been involved in the alleged scheme.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.