The U.S. Embassy in India has canceled approximately 2,000 visa appointments after uncovering major scheduling violations by fraudulent agents, signaling an intensified crackdown on visa fraud. The embassy, in a statement shared on X, revealed that “bad actors” had manipulated the appointment system, prompting the immediate cancellation of their bookings and suspension of related accounts.
“Consular Team India identified bad actors who made about 2,000 visa appointments that violated our scheduling policies,” the embassy stated. “Effective immediately, we are canceling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers that violate our scheduling policies.”
Ongoing Investigation by Delhi Police
This action follows an ongoing probe by Delhi Police, initiated after the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri filed a complaint on February 27. The First Information Report (FIR) implicates over 30 individuals from Punjab and Haryana in visa fraud schemes between May and August 2024.
According to the FIR, visa agents and applicants conspired to forge documents, including bank statements, educational certificates, and employment records, to secure U.S. visas. U.S. authorities flagged at least 21 cases in which applicants submitted fraudulent claims with the help of agents and document vendors.
Investigators discovered that applicants were charged between ₹1 lakh and ₹15 lakh for these fraudulent services. One applicant, Chamkaur Singh, admitted during his visa interview that he had never worked in the job position listed in his application. He disclosed that his visa agent had fabricated his employment details to cover a gap in his work history and had also submitted fake bank documents in his and his father’s name. Singh further revealed that his father had agreed to pay ₹13 lakh if the visa was approved.
Tracking Fraudulent Activity
The embassy’s internal investigation tracked IP addresses linked to various consultants and document vendors, identifying patterns of fraudulent behavior across multiple applications. Authorities have since registered cases under Sections 318, 336, and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 66(D) of the IT Act. Raids are currently underway to locate others involved in the fraud network.
Labeling the issue as “a serious security matter that affects both the United States and India,” the U.S. Embassy has urged Indian authorities to expedite the investigation. The embassy’s crackdown reflects heightened scrutiny of visa applications, with a strong warning against the use of unauthorized agents and fixers.
