Fraud

Welcome to the Fraud Prevention Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. Our principal mission is to safeguard U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, immigrant visas and non immigrant visas. We accomplish this critical goal by training Consular Section staff on fraud detection, maintaining close cooperation with U.S. and Honduran law enforcement agencies and deploying our staff of highly trained investigators to conduct interviews and investigations.

The consequences of fraud are extremely serious. If you commit fraud, not only will you lose the benefit that you are seeking, but you may also have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and you may even go to jail. The Fraud Prevention Unit, working closely with the American Citizen Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit, the Non Immigrant Visa Unit, the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security, aggressively pursues fraud cases, referring individuals as appropriate for prosecution under U.S. and/or Honduran law.

Contact the Fraud Prevention Unit

The Fraud Prevention Unit, because of the nature of anti-fraud work, is not open to the public. If you have questions about your case, please visit the page of the specific unit that is handling your case (the American Citizen Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit, or the Non Immigrant Visa Unit) and follow the directions for contacting that unit.

If you have a tip concerning fraud that you wish to share with us, you may contact the Fraud Prevention Unit by e-mailing us at fpuhonduras@state.gov. All information received will be confidential.

Do Not be a Victim of Fraud

Please be advised that:

  • Only U.S. Embassy employees working behind the windows inside the Embassy can handle your visa application. Please be aware that some applicants have been approached in the waiting area or outside of the Embassy by persons who claimed they could assist in the visa process for a fee, and some applicants have been cheated of significant amounts of money by these persons.
  • Beware of persons who say they can advise you on how to obtain a visa, whether they are charging you money for the advice or offering the advice as a friend. Visas are obtained only from the U.S. Embassy.
  • The presentation of false information on the visa application form, on documents, or during the interview, whether by you or by someone acting on your behalf, can result in a permanent ban to travel to the U.S. — even for an immigrant visa for which you might later qualify.
  • Millions of foreign visitors travel to the U.S. each year. While the U.S. welcomes foreigners of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, gender or cultural background, at the same time, the U.S. must do everything it can to keep everyone safe within its borders. Travelers who falsify documents, regardless of where they come from, threaten the safety of U.S. citizens and fellow travelers. Individuals who violate U.S. law by attempting entry with fraudulent documents are subject to prosecution and/or may be found permanently ineligible for any type of visa.
  • Employees of “Consular Counselling” do not represent the Consulate or Embassy and cannot influence the outcome of your case.
  • Visa appointment fees can only be processed and scheduled through this website.

The following will result in a denial of your visa application:

  • Attempts to conceal/deny any prior immigration violations or legal issues (in any country).
  • Presenting ANY false or altered documents.
  • Presenting someone else’s documents as your own.

Lost/Stolen Passports Containing Valid U.S. Visas

If your passport containing a U.S. visa is lost or stolen, please report this right away to the Embassy.

The steps you should take are:

  • File a report with the police in the jurisdiction where the passport was lost or stolen.
  • Send a copy of the police report, along with the following information, to the Consular Fraud Prevention Unit (fpuhonduras@state.gov) of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa:
    • Last names and first names as they appeared on your passport.  (Please write in capital letters).
    • Date of birth, identification number.
    • Whether the passport was lost or stolen, and how.
    • Date of loss.
    • Your phone and e-mail contacts.