my mother and i are currently going through the u-visa process right now, so i guess i can speak on this a little..

attempted robbery doesn't cut it. nor does fraud/identity theft. the difficult thing with u-visas is the fact that you have to get law enforcement to sign off on various documents needed to submit the application. a u-visa is a provision under the violence against women act, but i can cover men too. so don't be fooled by that.

also, when an eligible applicant files an application, they can request to include derivative beneficiaries, but there are stipulations to whom can be a derivative. you might wanna check with a competent attorney about whether your family would be able to file. in my personal opinion, attempted robbery and fraud aren't unconscionable crimes that would make some one approve your application. if you read the list that quaker posted, some of those crimes are a somewhat more severe than almost getting robbed by black guys (no offense ...).

again, you should check with a competent lawyer.