Fraud warnings

Visas, the green card lottery, and immigration procedures are among the subjects most frequently used by scammers. This page explains how to recognize official channels, the most common types of fraud, the consequences of fake documents and misrepresentation, and where to report fraud. Applicants in Türkiye and Turkish people in the United States can benefit from this information.

• No one can guarantee a visa. Visa eligibility is decided only during the interview.
• All forms belonging to the U.S. government are free.
• You do not need to use a travel agency to apply for a visa. All required information is available in Turkish and Persian on the Embassy's website.
• If you use an agency:
  • you remain responsible for the information on the form and the documents you submit
  • updates about your application may reach you late; the Embassy is not responsible if the agency fails to relay the information
• The Embassy and Consulate General do not oversee or recommend people or companies that provide visa consulting.
• Make sure your contact information on the application form is correct and up to date.

• Official U.S. government websites end in the ".gov" extension. Official email addresses also end in ".gov".
• Be suspicious of visa correspondence that comes from an address that does not end in ".gov".
• Fake websites usually use images of the U.S. flag, the Capitol building, the White House, or the Statue of Liberty. What is missing is the ".gov" extension.
• In Türkiye, the appointment and payment system is ustraveldocs.com, the Embassy's service provider. Always open the address through the link on the Embassy's website.
• Official channels:
  • ceac.state.gov — DS-160 form
  • ustraveldocs.com/tr — appointments and payments
  • tr.usembassy.gov — Embassy information
  • travel.state.gov — U.S. Department of State visa information
  • dvprogram.state.gov — green card lottery (DV)
  • uscis.gov and cbp.gov — immigration and entry procedures inside the United States

• "You won the green card lottery" email or letter: The Department of State does not send letters or emails to winners. The only way to learn the result is through Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov.
  • DV fees are paid at the consular cashier on the appointment day. Checks, wire transfers, or money orders are not requested in advance.
  • Consultants cannot increase your chances of winning. Adding false information to the form invalidates your application. See 3.6 Diversity visa.
• "Fast appointment," "influence," or "guaranteed visa" in exchange for money: Paid expedited appointments are not offered in Türkiye (see 1.8 Emergency appointment). USCIS also states that it alone decides whether to expedite a case.
• Impersonating a government official: USCIS will not contact you through your personal social media accounts.
  • USCIS will not ask you to send money to anyone by phone or email.
  • It does not accept payment through Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards. Fees are paid only through a USCIS online account and Pay.gov.
• Fake job offer: Job offers received by email while you are abroad that ask for money may be scams. Even if the offer is genuine, you cannot work in the United States without a green card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or work visa.
• "Notario" and fake consultant: In the United States, a notary public cannot provide legal services concerning immigration. Only attorneys and accredited representatives working for organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice may provide this service.
• Fake "overstay" email: CBP notices about your authorized period of stay come only from travelercompliance@cbp.dhs.gov.
• Visa bond fraud: A visa bond is paid through Pay.gov using the link provided to you only when directed by a consular officer. Do not pay on any other website.
• Threats and extortion against students: If someone posing as a USCIS employee asks for money, contact an official at your school. Make sure the school you applied to is SEVP-certified.
• Callers claiming to represent the IRS and Social Security: see 15.7 Tax fraud.

• According to the Embassy, many applicants lose money or are permanently barred from entering the United States after committing fraud on the advice of "visa consultants."
• A person who commits fraud loses the benefit they sought. Fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars and imprisonment may also result.
• Declaration on the DS-160: false or misleading information may result in permanent visa refusal or denial of entry.
• Warning on Form I-130:
  • marriage to evade immigration law: up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both
  • concealing the truth or using fake documents: a fine of up to $10,000, up to 5 years in prison, or both
• The Embassy's Fraud Prevention Unit applies zero tolerance. It refers cases to the relevant authorities for prosecution under U.S. and Turkish law.

• Visa fraud (Türkiye): Embassy Fraud Prevention Unit
  • Email: ANKARA_FPU@state.gov or Istanbul_FPU@state.gov
  • Information is kept confidential. Investigation results are not shared.
• If you are a victim of immigration fraud in the United States: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Phone: +1 877 382 4357 (877-FTC-HELP)
  • You may also contact your state's consumer protection office.
  • Reporting someone else's fraud generally will not negatively affect your application if you were not involved.
• Unauthorized representative in immigration court proceedings: U.S. Department of Justice EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program
  • Phone: +1 877 388 3840 · Email: eoir.fraud.program@usdoj.gov
• Suspicious USCIS email: Forward it to USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov. This address does not answer immigration questions.
• Internet fraud: econsumer.gov and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Identity theft: IdentityTheft.gov (FTC).
• Forced labor or human trafficking: National Human Trafficking Hotline +1 888 373 7888.

• You can fill out USCIS forms yourself and represent yourself. You are not required to hire a representative.
• If you want a representative, choose only an attorney or an accredited representative working for an organization recognized by the Department of Justice.
• The Department of Justice (EOIR) publishes a list of attorneys and accredited representatives who provide free or low-cost services.
• Check with the state bar association whether the attorney is licensed and has received any disciplinary action.
• Do not sign blank forms. Do not sign a form containing incorrect information. Request and keep receipts and copies of forms.

• Completing a DS-160 or making a payment on a website without ".gov".
• Believing a "You won the lottery" email and sending money.
• Entering incorrect information on the form or adding fake documents on a consultant's advice.
• Signing a blank or unread form.
• Paying a "government official" who calls by phone with a gift card or wire transfer.
• Feeling ashamed and failing to report the fraud.

• Is the DS-160 form subject to a fee? No. The form is free. The application fee is paid only through the official appointment system.
• I received a "You won the DV" email. Could it be real? No. The Department of State does not email winners. You can learn the result only at dvprogram.state.gov.
• An agency says it can move my appointment earlier. Only the Embassy decides on emergency appointments. There are no paid expedited appointments in Türkiye.
• Will reporting someone affect my own application? According to USCIS, it generally will not if you were not involved.
• How can I tell whether my attorney is legitimate? Check with the state bar association or the EOIR accredited representative list.
• An email claiming to be from USCIS is suspicious. Forward it to USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov.

• DS-160 form (CEAC)
• Appointment and payment system (ustraveldocs)
• DV results check
• USCIS tip form
• EOIR free legal services list
• EOIR accredited representative list
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• Identity theft report (FTC)