Fraud Prevention Unit
Welcome and Warnings
Welcome to the Fraud Prevention Unit’s webpage. The Fraud Prevention Unit works closely with the American Citizen Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit, the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit, the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the Department of Homeland Security and Colombian law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue fraud cases, referring individuals as appropriate for prosecution under U.S. and/or Colombian law. The consequences of fraud are serious. If you commit fraud not only will you lose the benefit you are seeking, but you may pay large fines and could even go to jail. Committing fraud can also make you permanently ineligible for a visa.
Below are the written warnings found on some of the applications or documents you might fill out.
On Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport or Registration) and Form DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail), you will find the following warning:
False statements made knowingly and willfully in passport applications or in affidavits or other supporting documents submitted therewith are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1542, 18 USC 1621. Alteration or mutilation of a passport issued pursuant to this application is punishable by fine and and/or imprisonment under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1543. The use of a passport in violation of the restrictions contained therein or of the passport regulations is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. 1544. All statements and documents submitted are subject to verification.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) contains the following warning:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services investigates claimed relationships and verifies the validity of documents. The Department of Homeland Security seeks criminal prosecutions when family relationships are falsified to obtain visas. Penalties: By law, you may be imprisoned for not more than five years, or fined $250,000, or both, for entering into a marriage contract for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws. In addition, you may be fined up to $10,000 and imprisoned up to five years, or both, for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact or using any false document in submitting this petition.
Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) contains the following certification that the applicant must sign:
I certify that I have read and understood all the questions set forth in this application and the answers I have furnished on this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false or misleading statement may result in the permanent denial of a visa or entry into the United States. I understand that possession of a visa does not automatically entitle the bearer to enter the United States of America upon arrival at a port of entry if he or she is found inadmissible.