In a timely alert, the Consulate General of India in New York, led by Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, issued critical advisories on Wednesday. These measures aim to shield Indian nationals, the diaspora, and foreign travellers from pervasive digital scams while streamlining entry protocols into India.

Here is what the Consulate said –

Warning against fraudulent calls

Ambassador Pradhan cautioned the community to stay vigilant against fraudulent calls impersonating Consulate officials.

“These scams misuse the Consulate’s name to extract personal details or demand payments over the phone,” Pradhan warned, emphasising the consulate would never request such information or money via telephone calls.

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“For accurate information, rely only on our official website and social media,” he said.

Mandatory e-arrival card introduced

The consulate also announced a new digital e-Arrival Card, which it said is now mandatory for all foreign nationals entering India, including Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders.

This streamlined online process aims to facilitate faster immigration clearance upon arrival.

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OCI rules remain unchanged

OCI cardholders do not require a visa to travel to India, the Consulate said, dispelling any rumours of policy shifts. Their existing privileges for multiple-entry, multi-purpose travel remain intact, providing continued ease for the diaspora.

These advisories come amid a surge in scam calls targeting the Indian diaspora in the US, where fraudsters often spoof official numbers to demand sensitive data or payments, threatening deportation or legal action. The Consulate General of India, New York, has repeatedly issued similar warnings, including an earlier video message from Pradhan urging victims to report incidents to local police and Consulate channels.