Welcome

Welcome to the Fraud Prevention Unit of the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil.  Our principal mission is to safeguard U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas.  We accomplish this critical goal by training Consular Section staff on fraud detection, maintaining close cooperation with U.S. and Ecuadorian law enforcement agencies, and deploying our staff of highly trained investigators to conduct interviews and investigations. The Fraud Prevention Unit appreciates your cooperation.  If you have information concerning fraud that you wish to share with us, you may do so by contacting us through our e-mail address FPMGuayaquil@state.gov, or through our fax number 04-232-0904.  Your identity will be kept confidential.

Beware of persons who say they can obtain a visa for you, whether they are charging you money for the advice or offering the advice as a friend. The U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil does not regulate or endorse individuals or businesses that offer 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 after committing fraud on the advice of so-called “visa consultants”.  The consequences of committing fraud during the visa or passport application process are extremely serious.  The Fraud Prevention Unit in Guayaquil maintains a zero tolerance policy towards fraud and it works in conjunction with U.S. and local authorities to enforce it.  If you commit fraud, not only will you lose the benefit that you are seeking, but you may also have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and you may even go to jail.  The Fraud Prevention Unit, working closely with the American Citizens Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit, the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit, the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security, aggressively pursues fraud cases, referring individuals as appropriate for prosecution under U.S. and/or Ecuadorian law.