2008 Chennai Press Releases

Visa Fraud Ring Taken Down

Honesty is the Only Way to Get a Visa

CHENNAI, March 11 – The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai announced today that nearly 200 visa applicants claiming to be connected to the south Indian film industry used false credentials to apply for visas to the United States.  These individuals now face a lifetime ban on traveling to the U.S.

The Consulate’s Fraud Prevention Unit uncovered the racket, in which film actors or directors used their position to lend credibility to a second unqualified applicant.  The unqualified applicants paid up to rupees five lakhs to a “visa consultant” and the accompanying actor or director.  Immigration records show that the majority of those who received visas are illegally present in the United States.  Their identities have been passed on to U.S. law enforcement authorities.  However, in accordance with U.S. law, the Consulate does not disclose to the public the names of visa applicants.

While the Consulate welcomes all legitimate travelers, anyone committing fraud to obtain a visa can be charged with crimes in the United States as well as in India.  The film actors, directors and their companions who used fraudulent documents have received a lifetime bar from ever traveling to the United States.

According to Consul General David Hopper, “The Consulate’s action should not be viewed as a condemnation of the south Indian film industry.  The Consulate acknowledges the artistic and commercial successes that have made this industry known and admired around the world.  We also recognize and welcome the increasing technical and artistic collaboration between Indian film makers and the film industries in other countries, including the U.S.  It is unfortunate that some people in the industry have misused the well-earned reputation and stature of the Indian film industry for illegal purposes.”

Visa applicants can find free and complete information about visa requirements and the application process from the Consulate and VFS, the Consulate’s authorized visa appointment services provider.  Consular Chief Mark Fry states that, “Applicants should strictly avoid documents sold by document vendors or brokers, and only submit genuine documents.  Potential visitors to the United States are most likely to receive a visa if they tell the truth on all visa forms and during the interview with a consular officer.”

For more information on the visa application process at the U.S. Consulate General – Chennai please visit: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov and VFS: http://www.vfs-usa.co.in.

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