U Singh..

 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Patel was arrested in Seattle on Dec. 13, 2023, and remains detained pending trial. Singh was arrested in Queens, N.Y. on Dec. 13, 2023.

 The alleged staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video. The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before calling police to report the “crime.” The “victims” are alleged to have each paid Patel to participate in the scheme. One purported victim allegedly paid $20,000 to participate as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. In turn, Patel allegedly paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery.

It is alleged that at least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies. alleged that at least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies