A 40-year-old man, Mitul Patel, has pleaded guilty in Boston, Massachusetts, in a visa fraud case involving staged robberies allegedly carried out to help participants apply for U visas.
Mitul Patel was one of the so-called “victims” in the case. His sentencing has been scheduled for July 29. Ten others had previously been charged by criminal complaint in March 2026.
According to court documents, the racket was led by Rambhai Patel, who was convicted in May 2025. Mitul Patel allegedly paid Rambhai Patel to take part as a “victim” in a staged armed robbery at a store in Worcester in October 2023.
Investigators said Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators arranged and carried out fake armed robberies at several convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
At least six such staged incidents were allegedly carried out beginning in March 2024.
Authorities said the store owners and the so-called victims were aware of the plan.
During the staged robberies, the “robber” would allegedly threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and flee.
The entire act had to take place clearly in front of surveillance cameras so the footage could later be used as evidence.
After the fake robber escaped, the clerks or owners would allegedly wait for five minutes or more before calling police to report the “crime.”
The alleged victims reportedly paid Rambhai Patel to take part in the scheme. In return, Rambhai Patel allegedly paid store owners for allowing their premises to be used for the staged robberies.
Authorities said the scheme was designed to help the so-called victims apply for U visas, which are meant for certain crime victims who assist law enforcement.
The ten others who allegedly took Rambhai Patel’s help to obtain U visas were reportedly living in the United States illegally.
