As more Kenyans explore opportunities to work, study or settle abroad, fraudulent agents are taking advantage of people hoping to secure visas and build better lives in foreign countries.
The Australian High Commission in Nairobi recently announced that it was aware of several visa scams warning Kenyans to be cautious of any person offering ‘guaranteed’ Australian visas.
“The Australian High Commission in Nairobi has become aware of several visa scams. Please be cautious of any person offering ‘guaranteed’ Australian visas,” the High Commission stated.
At the time, the Australian Embassy in Kenya announced that the scammers may contact you out of the blue by post, email, phone or face-to-face offering a visa in return for payments, personal details and identity documents.
“These scammers may contact you out of the blue by post, email, phone or face-to-face offering a visa in return for payments, personal details and identity documents. They may claim to know someone in the Australian High Commission, be a ‘registered agent’ or ‘Australian visa application service,” the High Commission noted.
They promise a guaranteed visa
A promise that a visa is guaranteed should raise suspicion, especially when an agent claims to have special connections at an embassy or immigration office.
Visa applications are assessed according to the destination country’s immigration rules. Paying an agent does not guarantee approval, even when an applicant meets the requirements.
They demand money before providing verifiable details
Some fraudulent agents pressure applicants to pay large sums for visa processing, job placement, interviews or travel arrangements before providing enough information to verify the opportunity.
Others may claim the payment is refundable or insist that applicants must pay immediately to avoid losing a vacancy.
Before making any payment, ask for a written breakdown of the charges, a receipt and clear details of the service being offered. Verify the fees against information published by the relevant embassy or immigration authority.
The recruitment agency is not licensed
Kenyans seeking jobs abroad should confirm that the recruitment agency is licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA).
A professional-looking office, website or social media page does not prove that an agency is legitimate. Fraudsters can use business names and registration details that resemble those of genuine companies.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs provides an online service for checking recruitment agencies and their licensing status.
They communicate through suspicious accounts or websites
Fraudulent agents may use social media accounts, unofficial email addresses or websites designed to resemble those of legitimate agencies and government institutions.
Some may even impersonate embassy staff or claim to represent an official visa application centre.
Check the web address carefully and use contact information published on the relevant embassy or immigration authority’s official website.
