As global travel demand surges, visa applications are reaching unprecedented levels. Unfortunately, this increase in demand has also attracted scammers looking to exploit innocent applicants. VFS Global, a trusted visa processing service, is cautioning applicants about fraudulent individuals posing as their employees or associates, or touts promising expedited appointments for an extra fee.
Hariprasad Viswanathan, Head of Sub Saharan Africa at VFS Global, sheds light on the common tactics used by scammers, especially in the digital space.
First and foremost, it’s crucial for applicants to remember that online appointment slots are based on demand and the embassy’s capacity. Applicants should arrive at the visa application center 15 minutes before their scheduled time to ensure they don’t miss their appointment. It’s important to be cautious of touts and fraudsters who claim to provide early appointment bookings in exchange for payment.
Touts may contact customers through chat apps, offering assistance in booking a visa appointment when slots are already available online for free on a first-come-first-served basis.
Phishing is another common fraudulent technique, where scammers attempt to acquire personal and sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by misusing official credentials. It’s essential to be vigilant and avoid sharing personal information on ‘HTTP’ websites. Always look for websites that start with ‘HTTPS’ when seeking or sharing information.
Scammers also trap unsuspecting individuals with false promises of overseas immigration or job opportunities. They often use sophisticated methods, such as cloning official web pages and masking their phone numbers to appear as genuine representatives of companies like VFS Global. Victims are then asked to verify the number on the official website, leading them to believe the scammer’s authenticity. Fake job offer letters and official-looking documentation are sent via email to further deceive victims, who are then asked to make upfront payments and share personal information.
Fraudsters frequently create fake online profiles using company credentials, logos, and names, often on popular social media and search platforms. Genuine travelers may mistake these pages as the official presence of the company, falling into the scammer’s trap.
Sharing personal information like passport or visa application numbers on public internet domains or social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook is also risky. Scammers are always on the lookout for such information.
To help you identify potential scams, here are some warning signs:
- Scammers often demand advance payments to personal bank accounts, threatening visa application rejection or deportation.
- They ask for personal information under the guise of re-validating application details.
- Emails about job offers or immigration come from fake email addresses, often using commonly used personal email providers.
- Fabricated documentation, such as job offer letters and contracts, may feature pixelated or disproportionate logos.
- Once payment is made, communication with the scammer abruptly ceases.
Stay alert and protect yourself from visa application scams by being cautious, verifying official channels, and never sharing personal information without verifying its authenticity. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your travel plans.
