Unfortunately for Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, the plan worked too well. The FBI also learned about immigration-related activity of several store employees following their purported victimization during the robberies. According to the affidavit, a co-conspirator who agreed to cooperate with the FBI told agents the "victims" paid Patel $10,000 apiece for his services. Both Patel and Singh face one count each of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Both men were arrested Dec. 13 - Patel in Seattle and Singh in Queens.

Source: New York Times December 29, 2023 23:24 UTC