The United States Embassy in Ghana has announced a collaborative effort with Ghanaian law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend middlemen who extort money from individuals seeking to expedite their U.S. visa applications.
According to the Embassy, out of 61,000 visa applications submitted last year, only 25,000 were approved. Officials attribute part of the problem to fraudulent activity, particularly involving so-called “fixers” who mislead applicants with false promises.
Speaking at a press conference, Elliot Fertik, Consul General of the U.S. Embassy in Accra, issued a strong warning to Ghanaians regarding the dangers of relying on unauthorised intermediaries.
“We’ve always had a zero-tolerance policy towards lying and visa fraud, but the Trump administration is determined to ensure that this policy is strictly enforced,” he stated.
Fertik advised applicants to avoid individuals who claim they can secure visas for a fee.
“There are often a lot of people who say, ‘If you pay me money, I can get you a visa.’ That is not true,” he said.
“The visa application process can be done by anyone, on their own. Paying extra money to someone who claims to have an inside track is a lie; they are simply taking your money.”
He revealed that every year, hundreds of hopeful travellers contact the Embassy claiming to have lost as much as $5,000 after being promised a visa that was never delivered.
“We often work with Canadian law enforcement to track down these fraudsters,” Fertik added.
He encouraged Ghanaians to apply through official channels and to follow the correct procedures.
“So please, if you are interested in applying for a visa, we welcome your application,” he said. “We appreciate your interest in travelling to the United States, but please do it the right way. Follow our rules, tell the truth, and you will not have any problems with us,” he concluded.
