Houston

Several Indian nationals residing in the U.S. have admitted to orchestrating armed robberies at various retail locations across multiple states to aid individuals in fraudulently securing U.S. immigration benefits.

Lamby Patel, 37, from New York, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday before a district judge in Boston for conspiring to commit visa fraud. Sentencing is set for August 20th.

U.S. federal prosecutors indicate that Patel and his accomplices executed at least nine staged robberies at convenience stores and restaurants in Massachusetts, with a court appearance expected in March 2023.

Surveillance videos captured the “robber” brandishing weapons, grabbing cash, and fleeing the scene. In one instance, a “victim” who paid Patel $20,000 waited before notifying the police. Patel had compensated the store owner for access to the establishment.

At least two people have filed U visa applications linked to these fabricated incidents.

Patel was indicted in December 2023, and a fellow conspirator known as Singh is anticipated to plead guilty on May 22nd.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Following his sentence, Patel also faces the possibility of deportation.

The case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. immigration officials, and numerous law enforcement agencies from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee.