The United States Consul General in Ghana has issued a strong warning to Ghanaians against using visa agents or consultants when applying for US visas, describing them as dishonest and exploitative.

Speaking on Joy FM on Tuesday, 24 June, Mr Elliot Fertik urged prospective travellers to avoid intermediaries, many of whom, he said, mislead applicants and demand large sums of money with false promises of visa approvals.

“Visa fixers claim they have influence and demand thousands of dollars, saying they can guarantee a visa because they know someone inside the Embassy,” he said. “Let me be clear — they are lying. They are ripping you off. It is probably not legitimate.”

Mr Fertik explained that a significant number of visa rejections in Ghana are linked to the use of unauthorised agents who often submit incomplete or inaccurate applications on behalf of clients.

He stressed that the US visa application process is designed to be completed by the individual applicant and that the most reliable information is available on the official website of the US Embassy.

“You can do it on our website, and there are also phone numbers and email addresses listed there for anyone who needs assistance,” he said.

His comments come amid growing concerns about visa scams and the exploitation of hopeful travellers, many of whom are charged exorbitant fees by individuals falsely claiming they can influence visa decisions.

The Consul General urged the public to seek information only from official sources and avoid falling prey to fraudsters.

“Do not trust anyone who says they can get you a visa for a price,” he said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Source:TheDotNews