A Canada-based applicant recently took to Reddit to share details about a scam. They were reached by an account on TikTok names “arshita.6” who advertised early US visa appointment slots.
The applicant agreed, and the scammer send instructions to send money via LemFI and WorldRemit. The transfers showed that they were routed to a mobile money wallet in Cameroon.
The applicant paid a total of $630 Canadian Dollars in two payments. After the payments were done, the scammer sent a fake invoice for a $300 “Security Verification Fee.”
They claimed that it was fully refundable after clearing credentials. When the applicant refused, the scammer threatened them.
Attempts at blackmail and extortion were made. The scammer threatened to block the applicants passport and use his address for fraud.
They also said that the applicants name would be added to an “American embassy spam dashboard.” Further, their travel would be banned for eight years.
The scammers then demanded a further $200 USD from the applicant.
Experts were quick to step in, saying that such threats are absolutely baseless. However, the applicant’s money will be nearly impossible to get back.
US visa systems never charge any security fees via mobile money. No third party can bypass embassy server to get an early slot, either.
Applicants were warned to never pay for such services, as they are always scams.
