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Fraud in US visa applications
by Sanjay Kumar

          New Delhi: The US Embassy has found seven cases of fraud in visa applications in the past one week. The cases have been referred to Indian law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation. Among the cases referred to police include all visa categories, including religious workers, temporary skilled workers (H1Bs), students and general tourists or business travellers. However, Manav Jain, Fraud Prevention Manager of the US Embassy refused to disclose the identities of the persons and the nature of the fraud. Sending a tough message to students applying for US visa, Jain warned: "Students should not consult unauthorized persons while filling up visa forms otherwise they will be spoiling their future in US". This warning comes at a time when many students are seeking visas to go to the USA as new academic year begins in few months time. Addressing this subject, David C Mulford, US Ambassador to India, stressed, "Producing or submitting false papers is consumer fraud and a criminal act. Those who pay such brokers and submit false papers do so at great risk." In past one year alone the US Embassy has referred 57 separate individual visa fraud investigations to Indian law enforcement agencies for further investigation or prosecution. "Once an applicant is caught committing fraud, he or she is generally barred from ever receiving a visa to the US." Jain said.
- June 8,  2007