Ahmedabad: A Gujarat connection has resurfaced in a visa fraud conspiracy in United States after another Gujarati pleaded guilty in a federal court in Boston for participating in staged armed robberies that were allegedly used to obtain immigration benefits.The development comes more than a year after another Gujarat-origin accused was convicted in the same case.Mitul Patel, 40, who was unlawfully residing in the Worcester area of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud before US district judge Myong J Joun. His sentencing has been scheduled for July 29. Mitul was among 11 individuals charged in March for their alleged roles in the scheme.According to US prosecutors, the conspiracy began in March 2023 when organiser Ram Patel — also of Gujarati-origin — and his associates allegedly orchestrated staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor outlets, and fast-food restaurants across Massachusetts and other locations. The objective was to enable store clerks to falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for U non-immigrant visas, which are available to certain crime victims who assist law enforcement.US agencies stated that a fake robber would enter a store armed with what appeared to be a firearm, threaten employees, take cash from the register and flee. The incidents were recorded on surveillance cameras to create evidence supporting immigration applications. Store employees allegedly delayed calling police until the robber escaped to make the incidents appear genuine.Federal authorities said participants seeking immigration benefits allegedly paid Ram to be included as victims, while store owners were compensated for allowing their premises to be used. Mitul is accused of paying to pose as the victim of a staged robbery at a Worcester store in Oct 2023.Ram and the gunman and getaway driver, Balwinder Singh, were convicted in May 2025. The latest guilty plea marks another conviction linked to the conspiracy.The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 (Rs 2.4 crore approx) and possible deportation after completion of the sentence.
