Authorities have busted a Chicago ring suspected of committing fraudulent robberies to secure immigration benefits, the New York Post reported Wednesday.
Six men allegedly planned armed robberies across Chicago as part of a scheme to give their so-called victims immigration benefits under the U visa program. according to From the New York Post: The visa is intended to assist crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of criminal activity.
Chicago Ring busted for fake robbery that gave so-called victims immigration benefits including special visas https://t.co/zegrdwHAw4 pic.twitter.com/q9L1EyTgBe
— New York Post (@nypost) May 23, 2024
According to the outlet, the suspected ringleaders, 26-year-old Perth Nye and 31-year-old Keewon Young, staged a fake robbery involving local businesses including restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores and gas stations. was conducting. His accomplices include Bikabhai Patel, 51, of Kentucky, Nilesh Patel, 32, of Tennessee, Rabinaben Patel, 23, of Wisconsin, and Rajinikumar Patel, 32, of Florida. (years old) was there. These individuals allegedly paid thousands of dollars to be portrayed as victims of this organized crime. (Related article: Police arrest teen for allegedly committing 10 armed carjackings and robberies)
“At Nye and Young’s direction, the robber actors at one point punched the purported victims to make the staged robbery appear more realistic,” the lawsuit states. stated.
In July 2023, a planned robbery at a Bucktown Food and Liquor store turned violent, leaving a store employee shot in the abdomen and critically injured, surveillance video shows. Despite severe injuries, store clerk survived, ABC 7 reportAt least 16 false robbery incidents were allegedly planned between December 2022 and January 2024 in order to obtain U visas by falsely claiming to be victims of violent crimes. Several alleged victims applied for these visas by alleging mental or physical abuse.
All six people involved in the operation have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, and Ravinaven faces an additional charge of making false statements on visa applications, the New York Post reported.
