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U.S. embassy in India warns of widespread visa scams

The embassy directed applicants to credible resources while warning against fake documents and unnecessary agent involvement.

Representative Image / Courtesy: Wikipedia

The U.S. Embassy in India issued a stark warning on Dec. 26 about visa scams, emphasizing that no agents or third parties can guarantee visa approvals or speed up the process.

In a post on X, the embassy said, “Visa scams and fraud are more common than you think, and they can cost you time, money, and your travel plans. This #VisaFriday, we’re highlighting steps you can take to identify scams, avoid fraud, and ensure you’re making an informed decision.”

The post was accompanied by an educational video, where the embassy warned of fraudulent schemes that continue to target hopeful applicants, often leading to financial loss and denied visas.

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"Visa scams and fraud are more common than you think," the embassy stated in its post, urging reliance on official channels only. "No one, not a visa agent, not a fixer, not a travel agency, can promise you a U.S. visa." 

Applicants are advised to seek accurate details from trusted sources like "travel.state.gov" or our embassy website at "in.usembassy.gov/visas," using the Visa Navigator tool.

The video also cautioned against agent-prepared or fake documents, noting, "Definitely don't use or buy fake documents. Misrepresenting facts and providing fake documents can result in a permanent lifetime ban from entering the United States as well as criminal prosecution."

Finally, it warned applicants that consular officers can tell nerves from lies—"Our officers are highly trained and know the difference between nerves and deception... Just answer the officer's questions clearly and truthfully.”

Finally, the embassy encouraged applicants to report scams: "If you are the victim of a scam or have evidence of visa fraud... you should report it to our fraud prevention unit" via the Visa Navigator.

This alert highlights ongoing efforts to combat fraud amid high visa demand from India, reminding applicants to stay vigilant.

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