The US Embassy in India said on Wednesday that it had cancelled over 2,000 visa applications due to fraudulent activities. It cited major violations in the appointment scheduling system by “bad actors” and subsequently suspended the scheduling privileges of the associated accounts.
The embassy also said that it practises a zero-tolerance policy towards agents and fixers.
“Consular Team India is canceling about 2000 visa appointments made by bots. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers that violate our scheduling policies,” wrote the US Embassy in India on Twitter (now X) while sharing an important notice.
The notice states, “Consular Team India identified bad actors who made about 2,000 visa appointments that violated our scheduling policies. Effective immediately, we are canceling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges.”
“We will continue our anti-fraud efforts. We have zero tolerance for fraud,” it adds.
Delhi Police registered a case against several visa and passport agents on February 27 after the US Embassy flagged a visa fraud. According to the embassy, these agents “deceived” the US government by submitting forged documents to secure visas for applicants.
Between May and August last year, the embassy conducted an internal investigation and compiled a list of 30 agents linked to multiple IP addresses, believed to be associated with visa consultants, document vendors, passport delivery services, and education consultants.
The investigation into the case is underway.
The cancellation of visa appointments follows hot on the heels of the Trump administration’s crackdown on people entering the country through illegal means, including the ‘donkey’ route. Since Donald Trump assumed office two months ago, thousands have been deported as part of his pledge to tighten US border security.