
A pair of New York City men are charged by federal prosecutors with carrying out a string of fake armed robberies supposedly targeting convenience stores and fast food restaurants to secure immigration benefits.
Authorities on Friday identified Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, as the perpetrators of the staged incidents. Prosecutors charged the two with “at least eight” of the faked crimes, which began in March 2023.
The two would stage the “robberies” in full view of video cameras, and one of them would brandish a supposed firearm and take cash from the register. Of course, the clerks were in on the plan and instructed to hesitate at least five minutes before calling law enforcement to report the “crime.”
2 NYC Men Accused Of Staging At Least 8 Fake Armed Robberies
Two men from New York City carried out multiple fake armed robberies at convenience stores and fast food establishments across the United States in order to obtain immigration benefits according to federal prosecutors. pic.twitter.com/ET7untGtEj— V.O.H (@Knot73211261) January 2, 2024
Patel and Singh would allegedly act out these phony criminal acts at small businesses operated by proprietors in the country on immigration visas. Each face one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud for their actions.
The purpose behind the scheme?
After the “robberies,” the store clerks would then apply for a special “U visa.” These are granted to immigrants who have been victimized by “mental or physical abuse” and allow them to stay in the U.S. for four additional years.
The Center for Immigration Studies said the U visa is a tool to assist in the prosecution of criminal activity. Immigrants who have been harmed or persecuted are given incentive to report the incidents to authorities.
Prosecutors believe the phony victims paid Patel to stage the robberies while Patel in turn paid the store owners to allow the fabrications to be staged.
Singh was detained in Queens and made his first appearance in a Boston courtroom. Patel was apprehended in Seattle and was ordered held in custody until his trial.
Federal prosecutors are expected to file charges against him in Boston at a later time. Both men could serve up to five years in prison and face potential fines of up to $250,000.
It appears logical that each would also face deportation depending on their immigration status. Though with the Biden administration, this is far from likely.