Abu Dhabi, July 25: Struggling to get entry visa for Canada, Australia or any of the European countries? Try and try hard, but beware: do not be fooled by an email that is doing the rounds offering visas to anyone and anywhere.
Some diplomatic missions and the police in Abu Dhabi have cautioned people to steer clear of such traps.
The scam appears to originate in London from where “Kenny Lang Visa Consultant” says a visa can be secured in 14 days provided the ‘fee’, which runs into thousands of dollars, is sent to his office.
An Australian two-year multiple entry visa is promised for $5,500 (approximately Dh20,000). A visa for Canada is even more expensive at $6,500 (approximately Dh24,000). However, visas for the United Kingdom or Schengen countries are being touted for $4,500 (approximately Dh16,500) under a sham process, which takes place apparently in Ghana or China.
To uncover the shady dealings of visa ‘facilitators’ Khaleej Times tried to get in touch with Lang’s office to obtain some guarantee that money and passport do not go astray.
The email sent by one of the reporters, intending to migrate to Australia, enquired: “I received your email regarding visa applications and I was wondering if you could send some more details – how and where I can send my passport, photos and fees? Do you offer any guarantee? How long will it take?”.
The reply, purportedly signed by Lang, who claims to be a London-based barrister, said: “We will get you two years multiple entry Australia visa within 14 days and the price is $5,500. The visa requirements are as follows: valid international passport, 4 passport photos and embassy documents/booking fee of $350. You can either come down to our office in China or send your international passport and 4 passport photos through DHL. Interview is not required. Lang chambers has been operating without failure over 18 years now. I want you to be rest assured that your visa will obtained within the above mentioned time. I hope to hear from you soon.” The grammatical errors in the ads posted by Lang on several websites since January 2009 raised suspicions. He even gives away his office address as 42 Gainsborough, London, E15 3AG.
A check revealed that the address belonged to Vanbrugh Developments, a builder and construction services company.
Khaleej Times reporters asked Lang if his “long and successful business” had a website and where exactly to send the passport and the money.
In the last reply, the reporters were given a different name and a Chinese address: Mr. David Apiniba, Tian En Export Trade Building, No 89 Guangyuan Xi Road Guangzhou, China. The telephone number +233-248524733 was obviously fictitious because China’s IDD code is +86.
“I don’t know any such office in China, which is authorised by our government to process documents of those who reside in the UAE,” said Li Lingbing, counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Abu Dhabi.
“There is no such process that a person who resides in the UAE could apply through China for a visa for the European countries,” Li said.
The British visa consular section urged people not to fall for the scam.
“We advise people to avoid visa applications that are not generated by a government office,” said Kevin Woods, operations manager for the consular section in the British embassy in Abu Dhabi.
He also pointed out that immigration services such as the Kenny Lang consultancy were not endorsed by the British government.
“We do not do that and will never do,” Woods reiterated.
A regular visit visa to the UK costs 65 pounds sterling, or about $106, as opposed to the $4,500, which Lang quotes.
Although local police do not get involved in such cases involving international crime, they do urge people to stay clear of email traps.
“It is not possible to investigate every scam email, which can originate from anywhere in the world. Our policy is to recommend vigilance and if in doubt, delete,” said an officer from Abu Dhabi Police. He advised that “if you receive an email you believe to be spam, then delete it. There are tens of thousands of these scams taking place. So beware!”
–Agencies–