ICE and FBI Arrest 10 in Alleged U Visa Fraud Scheme

Fake Robberies Allegedly Used to Obtain U Visa

ICE arrests 10 suspects

Immigration fraud at gas stations

Federal authorities announced the arrest of 10 individuals from India accused of participating in an immigration fraud operation involving staged robberies.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that the suspects allegedly organized fake armed robberies at gas stations in order to obtain immigration benefits through the U visa program.

According to prosecutors, some of the individuals involved owned gas stations and paid people to stage robberies inside their businesses.

Ten Indians Arrested for U Visa Fraud After Faking Robberies

These incidents were then used as the basis for applying for immigration protection under the U visa, a humanitarian immigration status available to victims of certain crimes in the United States.

The case has drawn attention to the potential misuse of a program designed to protect real victims of violent crimes.

How the Alleged U Visa Fraud Scheme Worked

Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in a visa fraud conspiracy involving staged armed robberies that allowed store clerks to claim they were crime victims on immigration applications, officials said. https://t.co/Ps2dFrQxIW

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) March 13, 2026

According to prosecutors, the plan involved simulating robberies inside gas stations owned by some of the defendants.

Authorities say store owners paid individuals to act as supposed robbers.

During the staged incidents, the “robber” would enter the store and threaten employees or owners with what appeared to be a firearm.

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The person would then take money from the cash register and leave the business.

The entire incident was captured on the store’s security cameras.

Prosecutors say the footage was later used as evidence of an alleged violent crime.

The goal was to use both the recordings and police reports to support immigration applications.

Authorities maintain that the robberies were fully planned and did not correspond to real crimes.

The Goal: Apply for a U Visa

Prosecutors allege that the purpose of these staged robberies was to allow employees present at the scene to claim they were victims of a violent crime.

Based on that claim, participants submitted applications for U nonimmigrant status.

The U visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or psychological abuse.

Applicants must also cooperate with law enforcement authorities in investigating or prosecuting the crime.

This immigration status can provide temporary legal protection and potential pathways to permanent residency for eligible individuals.

Authorities say the alleged U visa fraud scheme attempted to exploit this program through fabricated incidents.

According to the indictment, applications relied on police reports and surveillance footage as supporting evidence.

How the Fake Robberies Were Reported

Prosecutors say the staged incidents followed a specific pattern.

After the supposed robber left the store, employees or owners would wait before contacting police.

Authorities say the staff typically waited five minutes or more before reporting the incident.

Once the report was filed, the event would be officially recorded as a robbery.

That record was later used as part of the documentation submitted in U visa applications.

Prosecutors argue that the intention was to create a believable scenario of a violent crime.

ICE and the FBI reported that the investigation led to the arrest of 10 individuals connected to the scheme.

Federal authorities continue to pursue the judicial process related to the immigration fraud charges.