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Embassy Consular Officer Jean Akers being interviewed on the set of TVK's "Good Morning Cambodia."
Don't Be Taken in by Visa Scams
U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh
September 12, 2007
In response to increasing reports of dishonest agencies offering high school student programs and vocational internships for hefty fees, Consular Chief Anne Simon and the Chief of the Embassy's Nonimmigrant Visa Unit, Jean Akers, recently took to the radio and TV airwaves to warn Cambodian citizens about these scams. The consular officials urged the public to carefully evaluate company claims, and they emphasized that the Embassy does not guarantee visas to anyone. They also urged people to contact the Embassy if they have been the victim of a visa scam or fraud.
Jean Akers taped interviews in Khmer for TVK's "Good Morning Cambodia" and CTN's "Sunday Talk Show," in which she educated viewers about the nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application processes, including the Diversity Visa lottery. Ms. Akers emphasized that all applicants should beware of people and organizations who claim they can help procure a U.S. visa in exchange for a high fee. She stressed that only a U.S. consular officer at the Embassy can adjudicate a visa application and the Embassy does NOT guarantee nonimmigrant visas for any study or exchange program. Cambodians wishing to participate in such a program should carefully research the sponsoring U.S. organization to ensure it is legitimate. All fees charged should be reasonable, fair, transparent and refundable.
Consular Chief Anne Simon participated in the Women's Media Center's live call-in radio show on FM 102 as well as Voice of Democracy's news hour on FM 105. During the live show, most of the questions focused on the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV), and Ms. Simon warned listeners that dishonest agencies in Phnom Penh have been extorting money from winners of the DV lottery. These companies have assisted Cambodians to apply for the DV program and later charged the winners outrageous fees. Winners DO NOT have to pay money to receive their case number. The Embassy can assist DV lottery winners to obtain their number without paying a fee. Winners were are also warned not to enter into fake marriages or use fake documents; if they do, they will be disqualified and be permanently ineligible for a visa to the United States.
Please contact the U.S. Embassy at visasphp@state.gov if you are being extorted by a local broker or to report visa scams, fraud, malfeasance, and other illegal activity involving nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
