US Embassy cancels 2,000 fraudulently booked visa appointments in India

New Delhi: The US Embassy in India on Wednesday said it has canceled nearly 2,000 visa appointments fraudulently booked using bot accounts. The embassy cited its zero-tolerance policy and said it had identified individuals misusing the scheduling system, leading to the suspension of their accounts.

“Consular Team India is canceling around 2,000 visa visits made by bots. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers violating our scheduling policies. With immediate effect, we are canceling these visits and suspending the scheduling privileges of relevant accounts,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The move is part of broader efforts to combat fraud in the visa application process. The embassy reiterated its commitment to cracking down on such practices, stating, “We will continue our anti-fraud efforts. We have zero tolerance for fraud.”

The action follows a formal complaint filed by the US Embassy with Delhi Police, seeking action against individuals who allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to obtain US visas between May and August 2024.