The American Embassy in Tirana has reacted after the police operation to arrest several people posing as travel agencies or consultants, who gave guarantees for obtaining American visas on social networks. From this operation, 5 people ended up in handcuffs, while several others were declared wanted.
The embassy also urges visa applicants to submit their electronic visa applications themselves and not through “so-called” travel agencies, visa consultants or other companies that provide visa services.
Visa applicants should also be wary of scams on social media platforms that claim to guarantee US visas.
The reaction of the US Embassy
The US Embassy thanks the Albanian State Police and the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana for their cooperation with the International Criminal Investigation Unit of the Diplomatic Security Service of the US Department of State, which led to today’s arrests. We deeply appreciate our partnership with the Director General of the State Police Muhamet Rrumbullaku, the Director of the Criminal Police Department Neritan Nallbati, the Director of the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana Arenc Çela, the prosecutor of the case Drini Pali and the dedicated officers of the State Police.
The International Criminal Investigation Unit was established at the US Embassy in Tirana in 2012 and is responsible for conducting criminal investigations related to the illegal issuance or use of passports or visas; identity theft and/or document fraud affecting or related to U.S. Department of State programs, functions, or authorities, as well as crimes related to terrorism, human trafficking, people smuggling, and other types of crime organized internationally. The US Embassy is committed to investigating and working with our partners to prosecute those who commit visa fraud.
The US Embassy urges all visa applicants to submit their electronic visa applications themselves and not through “so-called” travel agencies, visa consultants, or other visa service companies. Visa applicants should also be wary of scams on social media platforms that claim to guarantee US visas.
