The United Kingdom has launched a campaign to combat visa fraud and protect visa applicants from serious exploitation by fraudulent immigration facilitators.
鈥榁isa fraud destroys dreams and devastates families. Criminal facilitators prey on people鈥檚 aspirations for a better life, stealing their money, and putting them at risk of serious harm. Our message is clear 鈥� use only official channels, verify all advice, and report suspicious activity,鈥� British high commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke was quoted to have said in a press release issued on Tuesday.
UK welcomes legitimate visa applications through proper routes 鈥� but those who attempt fraud face serious consequences, including 10-year travel bans, she said.
鈥楩raudulent activities perpetrated by criminals and scammers cost victims millions of pounds annually and put vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, financial ruin and legal consequences, in Bangladesh and across the world,鈥� the British High Commission in Dhaka said in the press release.
Visa fraud and illegal immigration facilitation, it said, had reached alarming levels globally, with criminal networks using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive prospective visa applicants.
鈥榁ictims are often promised guaranteed visas, jobs without proper qualifications, or expedited processing in exchange for exorbitant fees. The reality is financial loss, visa refusals, travel bans and, in the worst cases, trafficking and exploitation,鈥� the release mentioned.
The British HC suggested that UK visa applicants should always use official government websites for visa information and apply through the official government website 鈥� www.gov.uk.