The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested 10 Indian nationals across four states in the US for allegedly participating in staged armed robberies linked to visa fraud.
The Indian nationals allegedly participated in staged armed robberies that allowed the 'victims' to claim immigration benefits under U visa category, the FBI said in a statement.
The U non-immigrant visa is meant for victims of specific crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement.
The FBI said 11 Indians have been charged in connection with staged armed robberies. Ten of those were arrested, while the eleventh accused was charged and deported to India.
The series of incidents date back to 2023, where 'armed' robberies were carried out in at least six convenience, liquor stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts.
The authorities unveiled that the robberies were carried out to benefit the 'victim', who were clerks or owners and to portray that they were victims of a violent crime, thus making them an applicant for U non-immigration status.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, which includes a 5-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
