US Embassy in Dominican Republic warns of conference-related visa scams

The United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic has issued a warning to citizens regarding fraudulent schemes involving unsolicited email invitations to conferences in the United States. These scams often promise guaranteed visa approvals, a claim the embassy notes is impossible as visa decisions rest solely with U.S. consular officials.

Fraudulent actors may charge fees for invitation letters or official-looking documents to facilitate visa applications. The embassy advises against making bank transfers, cryptocurrency payments, or using unprotected peer-to-peer payment apps to organizers. Other red flags include forged signatures, vague agendas, unconfirmed venues, and unverifiable panelists.

To avoid these scams, the embassy recommends independently verifying the legitimacy of organizers through official websites and known institutional contacts. Citizens are urged to look for spelling errors, suspicious contact information, and websites that mimic legitimate organizations. Suspected fraud can be reported to fraude@state.gov.