Fraud Prevention Unit

Welcome to the Fraud Prevention Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.  Our primary mission is to safeguard the U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, and applications for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. We accomplish this goal by identify fraud trends and by developing and implementing policies, programs, training and tools to help the Consular Staff recognize, prevent and stop fraudulent activities that affect the processing and acquisition of visas, passports and any other document or immigration benefit under the purview of the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.

Committing visa fraud or providing false information on your petition, visa application or to a Consular Officer may result in the revocation of your petition and/or a permanent ineligibility to travel, work or immigrate to the United States.
 
U.S. Embassy Caracas does not endorse nor has a "special relationship" with any individual or business that offers advice or assistance with the visa process. No one can guarantee the issuance of a visa to you. Visa eligibility can only be determined at the time of the visa interview. All U.S. government forms are free.

WARNING: Many visa applicants lose money or are permanently barred from the United States as a result of misleading information and fraudulent applications provided by so-called “visa consultants”. The consequences of committing fraud during the visa or passport application process are extremely serious.  The Fraud Prevention Unit in Caracas maintains a zero tolerance policy towards fraud and it works in conjunction with U.S. and local authorities in order to enforce it. Fraudsters, fraudulent document vendors, counterfeiters, impostors and human smugglers will be punished to the full extent of the U.S. and Venezuelan laws with penalties that include but are not limited to the loss of consular or immigration benefits, fines and/or incarceration.

Reporting Fraud to Us

The Fraud Prevention Unit appreciates your cooperation. If you have information concerning fraud issues that you wish to share with us, you may do so by contacting us through our e-mail address FPMCaracas@state.gov, or through our fax number (212)9758971.  Your identity will be kept confidential.