FBI Warns International Students of Sophisticated Visa Scam

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an urgent warning to international students in the United States, particularly those from Middle Eastern countries, regarding a sophisticated scam designed to exploit anxieties surrounding visa and immigration regulations. 

Fraudsters are impersonating government officials and diplomats to extort money from unsuspecting students. The scam, authorities say, involves individuals contacting students with valid visas, falsely claiming to represent agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In some instances, the scammers pose as diplomats from foreign embassies, adding a veneer of authenticity to their deception.

Victims typically receive unsolicited phone calls appearing to originate from legitimate government offices. The callers assert that the students have violated visa conditions or face imminent legal action. To resolve these fabricated issues, the scammers demand immediate payment for purported registration fees, legal services, or corrections to immigration violations. Students may also be directed to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive personal information.

The FBI advisory notes that students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan have been among the primary targets. In some instances, fraudsters have impersonated representatives from UAE and Qatari diplomatic missions in Washington, DC. The scam is unfolding against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of student visa holders and shifts in immigration policy, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Scammers are capitalising on this heightened anxiety to make their fraudulent claims appear more plausible.

The FBI advises students to exercise extreme caution and scepticism when receiving unsolicited phone calls about their visa status. If contacted by someone claiming to be a government official, students should terminate the call and contact the agency directly using official, independently verified contact information.

Additionally, students are cautioned against clicking on suspicious links and should verify the legitimacy of any government website they visit. Students who believe they have been targeted are urged to gather all relevant communication records and report the incident to their home country's embassy, the FBI, or the Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the Department of State. Vigilance and informed decision-making are crucial in preventing financial exploitation.