A Gujarat connection has resurfaced in a visa fraud conspiracy in the United States after another Gujarati national pleaded guilty in a federal court in Boston for his role in staged armed robberies that were carried out to obtain immigration benefits.
The latest 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 involvement in the conspiracy.
According to US prosecutors, the conspiracy began in March 2023 when organiser Ram Patel, also of Gujarati origin, and his associates orchestrated staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor outlets and fast-food restaurants across Massachusetts and other locations. The alleged 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 authorities.
US agencies stated that during the staged robberies, 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 the police until after the fake robber had escaped so that the incidents appeared genuine.
Federal authorities further alleged that people seeking immigration benefits paid Ram Patel to be included as victims in the staged robberies, while store owners were compensated for allowing their premises to be used. Mitul Patel is accused of paying to pose as the victim of a staged robbery at a Worcester store in October 2023.
Ram Patel, along with the alleged gunman and getaway driver Balwinder Singh, was convicted in May 2025. Mitul Patel’s guilty plea marks another conviction linked to the same 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 (approximately Rs 2.4 crore), and possible deportation after completion of the sentence.
Also Read: US, Canada Visa Curbs Hit Gujarat, Education Loans Drop 14% https://www.vibesofindia.com/visa-curbs-reshape-gujarat-overseas-education-trend-education-loans-fall-14-percent/
