Federal prosecutors in Chicago sentenced Parth Nayi, a 33‑year‑old Illinois resident, to two years in prison for leading a scheme that staged hundreds of armed robberies at small businesses and eateries. The purpose of the fake crimes was to coach non‑citizens into filing fraudulent U‑visa applications, a benefit meant for genuine victims of serious crimes who assist law enforcement.
How the scheme operated
According to the Department of Justice, Nayi acted as the primary organizer, coordinating with co‑conspirators Bhikhabhai Patel, Nilesh Patel, Ravinaben Patel, Rajnikumar Patel and Kewon Young. The group recruited individuals to pose as armed robbers, sometimes firing weapons and injuring store employees to make the robberies appear authentic. After each staged incident, the supposed victims were instructed to submit I‑918 supplement forms, which certify victim status and trigger eligibility for a U‑visa.
Victims reportedly paid up to $30,000 for participation, believing the scheme would secure protected legal status. In one July 2023 incident at a Chicago liquor store, an accidental discharge critically injured an employee before the perpetrators fled in a stolen vehicle.
Impact on a program designed for real victims
The U‑visa program, created by the 2000 anti‑trafficking law championed by Rep. Christopher Smith (R‑NJ), provides a pathway to legal status for foreign nationals who have suffered severe crimes such as human trafficking, domestic violence, or other violent offenses. “Anyone who engages in visa fraud or falsifies claims to obtain any government benefit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Rep. Smith told Fox News Digital.
Smith emphasized that the abuse of a program intended to protect vulnerable women and children is especially egregious. The Trump administration has repeatedly highlighted the need to safeguard immigration benefits from exploitation, and this conviction serves as a concrete example of its fraud‑prevention efforts.
Broader crackdown on immigration fraud
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Justice Department, working in concert with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has intensified investigations into schemes that undermine the integrity of immigration benefits. While the case unfolded in Illinois, the ramifications are national, reinforcing the administration’s message that fraud will not be tolerated.
Law enforcement officials noted that the indictment also identified more than a dozen locations used in the scheme, including a Subway restaurant in Louisiana and a truck stop in Middle Tennessee, indicating a multi‑state network of deception.
Local officials’ reactions
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a vocal critic of federal immigration enforcement, declined to comment on the specifics of the case. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also did not respond to requests for comment.
The conviction sends a clear warning to those who would manipulate humanitarian immigration programs for profit, and it underscores the importance of vigilant oversight to protect genuine victims seeking relief.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
