Visas to the US

Fraud

Visa applicants are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer any assistance in obtaining U.S. visas. The U.S. consulates in South Africa have been witness to numerous scams perpetrated via the Internet. Some prey on American citizens while others claim to be agents of the U. S. government facilitating visa issuances.

Visa scammers promise to ensure successful visa applications of all types of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, promise winning diversity visa lottery entries, or promise to provide documentation that they say will ensure visa issuance. These scammers often intimate special knowledge or access to consular processes. They contact prospective targets via advertising of all types through web sites, direct email contact, and in person. They sometimes masquerade as USG offices, creating email addresses that appear to be official government addresses or offer links to genuine USG web sites in their messages.

You may find further information and guidance at the following web sites:

Department Of State Website On Visa Fraud: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

Federal Trade Commission Warning On Diversity Visa Fraud: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt003.shtm

General Internet Fraud Complaint Center: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet_Fraud.shtml