Man Sentenced for Orchestrating Fake Robberies to Defraud Immigration System

An Illinois man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a scheme that staged hundreds of armed robberies to defraud the U.S. immigration system. Parth Nayi, described as the "ringleader," organized and coached supposed victims through plans to apply for U visas, which are reserved for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.

Prosecutors stated that Nayi was central to hundreds of staged robberies targeting small businesses and eateries in and around Chicago. He and alleged co-conspirators recruited individuals to pose as victims and others to act as armed robbers. In some instances, these robbers would physically assault the supposed victims to make the staged robbery appear authentic.

After the fake robberies, the participants would file applications for U visas, a program established by a 2000 law to protect trafficking victims and others who cooperate with law enforcement. Thousands of individuals reportedly paid Nayi as much as $30,000 to participate in the scheme, presenting themselves as crime victims.

One such staged robbery in July 2023 resulted in an employee of a Chicago liquor store being critically injured by a gunshot. The perpetrators then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib Mohammad Hussain noted in Nayi's sentencing memo that the defendant "significantly corrupted the federal U-Visa program, designed to provide a benefit to a particularly vulnerable group—foreign nationals who are victims of serious crimes while visiting the United States."

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., the lead sponsor of the legislation that created the U visa, expressed strong disapproval of the alleged abuse. "Anyone who engages in visa fraud or falsifies claims to obtain any government benefit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and if guilty, jailed," Smith told Fox News Digital. He added that it is "especially egregious to abuse a program designed to help victims of human trafficking... who are cooperating with police and are working to recover from their extraordinary trauma."

The indictment in the case identified over a dozen locations used in the scheme, including businesses in Illinois, a Subway in Louisiana, and a truck stop in Middle Tennessee. The Department of Justice's indictment indicated that five other individuals besides Nayi have been convicted, though their names were not specified.

While Nayi has been sentenced, other alleged co-conspirators, including Bhikhabhai Patel, Nilesh Patel, Ravinaben Patel, and Rajnikumar Patel, were also identified in connection with the scheme. Reports indicate Bhikhabhai Patel allegedly posed as a victim at a Chicago Dunkin' in 2023 before filing a fraudulent U visa application, and Ravinaben Patel allegedly did the same at a second Dunkin'.

Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for comment. Mayor Johnson has previously been critical of federal immigration enforcement actions.