Federal prosecutors said Friday that two New York City men committed armed robberies at convenience stores and fast food restaurants across the United States in hopes of stealing immigration benefits.
Ranbhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, were arrested on December 13, and both were granted special immigrant visas, which allow “victims” of robbery to apply for special immigrant visas. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. This was announced by the Massachusetts State Prosecutor's Office.
Federal prosecutors say Mr. Patel and Mr. Singh orchestrated “at least eight” planned robberies, including one in which the “robbers” apparently stole cash from the cash register at the front of the store. The charges included threatening a store employee with a firearm. Surveillance camera.
Prosecutors say the scheme began in March 2023, with store employees waiting at least five minutes for the robber to flee before calling police.
Prosecutors said each of the “victims” of the alleged robbers paid Mr. Patel to take part in the fake antics, while Mr. Patel allegedly paid store owners for the orchestrated robbery. It is said that he paid for the use of the store.
The purpose of the planned robbery was to enable the store clerk to apply for a special “U visa.” The visa allows immigrants who have suffered mental or physical abuse and cooperated in prosecuting offenders to remain in the country for four years.
Singh, who was arrested in Queens, appeared before a judge in federal court in Boston, while Patel, who was arrested in Seattle and ordered to be held pending trial, will meet with federal prosecutors in Boston at a later date, prosecutors said. It's planned.
If convicted, both defendants face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
