Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Birenkumar Rameshbhai Patel, 47, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally obtain a U Visa.

A U Visa is a temporary U.S. immigration status that is reserved for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. The U Visa provides a path to lawful permanent residence in the United States (commonly referred to as a “Green Card”), and therefore a path to U.S. citizenship for qualified applicants. 

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 9, 2025, Birenkumar Rameshbhai Patel, a/k/a “Mike Patel,” and a convenience store clerk staged a robbery at a convenience store in Fairfield County. Law enforcement received a 911 call reporting a robbery. When the authorities arrived at the scene, the clerk attempted to explain the robbery before being transported to the hospital. Patel also arrived at the scene and attempted to explain the robbery. Officers reviewed surveillance video of the event, which appeared to show a robbery, but further review showed that the robbery was staged to make it appear that the store clerk was the victim. Patel acted as the robber and attempted to disguise himself by covering his face and wearing a jacket with long sleeves. 

On March 25, 2025, Patel and the clerk requested a copy of the incident report concerning the March 9 incident. In an attempt to appear as a crime victim and qualify for a U Visa, on April 3, 2025, Patel and/or the clerk caused to be mailed a federal certification to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department requesting that the head of that department sign a form acknowledging that the clerk was the victim of a “felonious assault.” Officials determined that the store clerk was a citizen of India and that a U Visa would have allowed him to remain in the U.S. legally.

Patel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph A. Anderson, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Patel after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. The clerk was deported to India. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Potterfield is prosecuting the case. 

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