Document Fraud Hurts Everyone

Notice by the Embassy Vice-Consul

Embassy Minsk has experienced an unfortunately high rate of document fraud from visa applicants. Most Belarusians applying for tourist visas are solid citizens with bona fide documents. However, American consular officers in Minsk have encountered--on a daily basis--fraudulent bank statements, fake work documents, falsified tax statements, counterfeit automobile registrations and false school registration papers. We see fake invitation letters which are sold to visa applicants for $10 or more which show a 'cousin' in the United States with addresses or phone numbers that don't exist or are covered by an answering machine.

Perhaps the purveyors of these documents think that the possibility of gaining entry to the U.S. is worth the risk of presenting fake documents. But those who get caught face two risks: criminal prosecution in Belarus and permanent ineligibility for future entry to the U.S.

Widespread fraud delays legitimate travel and strains resources of all involved. It means that consular officers must ask probing questions and examine documents closely, often distressing honest people and making visa application an ordeal. Document fraud is an international problem with unfortunate consequences - and it hurts all of us.