The United States has alerted Nigerians to an offer of fake US work visa being promised a group, warning that scammers are behind it.
Indeed, the US Embassy dissociated itself from a press release promising a new type of work visa for Nigerians between the ages of 40 and 55.
The faceless group in the press release claimed to be from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services said those eligible for the work visa should be health workers, engineers, marine workers and accountants.
The press release partly read, “President Joe Biden, the 46 US. President has signed an Executive Order that interested citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who measure in some special professions are eligible for American Work E-Visa and Residence Permit. This was communicated to the Nigeria US Department of immigration.
The terms of the Executive Order allows 25,000 citizens of the Republic of Nigeria between the age of 40 to 55 whose area of expertise are among the following: Health workers, engineers, marine workers, accountants…”
It added that “applicants and children who have been vaccinated must make a pre-visa vaccination deposit of $150 per person which is required as a condition for visa approval.”
Applicants are also required to make a deposit of $250 for English proficiency test.
Reacting to the press release, the US Embassy described it as a scam and warned people not to fall victim to it.
“Fraud Alert! Scammers and fraudsters are circulating a fake “press release” claiming to offer a new type of work visa to Nigerian citizens aged 40-55. It’s the same old scam, but in fresh packaging – don’t become a victim!” the US Embassy tweeted.