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vigilance.workSaturday, April 11, 2026 — Official Launch EditionAnti-Fraud NGO · Global Guidance Initiative
Protecting the American Dream · Counter-Fraud Guidance · Global Immigration Vigilance
VIGILANCE.WORK
Your Shield Against Visa Fraud, Immigration Scams & the Exploitation of American Dreams
🛡 NGO Anti-Fraud Initiative · Launched April 11, 2026
The American Dream Is Real.
The Fraudsters Exploiting It Are Too.
VIGILANCE.WORK partners with US State Department, USCIS, FBI, DHS, and global agencies to protect aspiring immigrants from visa fraud, scams, and misinformation.
Diversity Visa ScamsH-1B Fake PetitionsStudent Visa MillsMarriage Visa FraudEB-5 Investment ScamsFake Lawyers (Notario Fraud)Passport ForgeryWork Visa TraffickingFiancé Visa ExploitationTourist Visa Overstay Schemes
$1.7B
Lost to Visa & Immigration Fraud Annually (US)
50K+
Fraudulent DV Lottery Emails Sent Each Year
185
Countries with Active Visa Fraud Networks
72%
Of Victims Never Report the Fraud to Authorities
Today's Guidance · Understanding Visa Categories & Their Fraud Risks
⚠ Highest Fraud Risk
The Visa Fraud Landscape in 2026
By VIGILANCE.WORK Editorial · April 11, 2026
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide pursue the American Dream through legitimate visa processes — and every year, sophisticated criminal networks prey on their hopes. VIGILANCE.WORK exists to close the information gap that fraudsters exploit.
Passport and visa fraud takes many forms: concealing facts that would disqualify one from getting a visa, misrepresenting the reasons for seeking a visa, and counterfeiting, creating forgery, or altering of a visa. These are federal crimes — but prevention starts with education.
"The American Dream belongs to those who earn it honestly — not to those who sell it falsely."
— VIGILANCE.WORK Mission
The US State Department amended regulations governing the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program in March 2026, effective April 10, 2026 — requiring valid passport information and a passport scan to combat fraud in the program.
Know Your Visa · Official Categories
US Visa Categories: What's Real, What's at Risk
Reference Guide · US State Department · travel.state.gov
Official Source
The Only Official DV Lottery Website is dvprogram.state.gov
Any other site claiming to run the Diversity Visa Lottery is a SCAM. Zero fees are ever charged by the US Government to enter.
Key Visa Categories + Fraud Red Flags
DV (Lottery)Diversity Immigrant Visa — 50,000 visas/year. Top target for scammers — fake "winning" emails.
H-1BSpecialty Occupation Work Visa. Fake employer petitions sold for $5,000–$30,000.
F-1Student Visa. Diploma mills and fake university acceptances exploit students.
K-1Fiancé(e) Visa. Romance scams and human trafficking using legitimate visa process.
EB-5Investor Visa ($800K minimum). Fraudulent regional centers steal investor funds.
B-1/B-2Tourist / Business Visa. Overstay schemes and work-without-authorization fraud.
VIGILANCE.WORK is a free, non-governmental initiative that arms immigrants, visa applicants, and their families with the knowledge to identify fraud, access legitimate guidance, and connect with verified agencies worldwide.
We work alongside US State Department, USCIS, FBI, Diplomatic Security, Interpol, and partner immigration agencies in 40+ countries to track fraud patterns and publish real-time guidance.
GOLDEN RULES — US Visa Process
✅ Apply ONLY at official government websites (.gov)
✅ US Embassy never emails you a "winning" notice
✅ DV Lottery entry is always free
✅ Only licensed attorneys or accredited reps give legal advice
✅ Report all fraud to DSS Crime Tips or USCIS
✅ Verify your attorney at USCIS.gov
❌ Never wire money to get a visa
❌ Never give your passport to a "fixer"
Use our free Fraud Checker to identify whether an offer, email, or document is authentic or fraudulent — cross-referenced with US State Dept records.
2
Verify
We verify attorneys, agencies, and consultants against official USCIS and Bar Association databases. Know who you're working with.
3
Report
File fraud reports directly to DSS Crime Tips, FBI IC3, USCIS, and our global partner agencies through our one-stop reporting portal.
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Guide
Receive free, accurate, plain-language guidance on your visa category, the legitimate process, costs, and timeline — from verified sources only.
Visa Fraud Encyclopedia · Know the Risk per Category
DV Lottery
Diversity Immigrant Visa
50,000 visas drawn annually from random selection. Official entry: dvprogram.state.gov. Zero cost to enter.
Top Scam: Fake "winner" notification emails and letters demanding payment for processing.
⚠ Red Flag: Any email, letter, or website asking you to pay to claim a DV lottery win is a SCAM. Report to DSS immediately.
H-1B Specialty
Skilled Worker Visa
Requires a real US employer sponsor. USCIS selects petitions by lottery (cap: 85,000/yr). Only employers can petition — never individuals.
Top Scam: "Job placement agencies" selling fake H-1B sponsorships for $10,000–$50,000.
⚠ Red Flag: Any individual or agency claiming to sell H-1B sponsorship is committing federal fraud. Verify employers at USCIS.gov.
F-1 / M-1
Student Visas
Requires enrollment at a SEVP-certified school. Students must maintain full-time enrollment. Legitimate US universities never guarantee visa approval.
Top Scam: Diploma mills and ghost schools enrolling students for visa purposes only.
⚠ Red Flag: Verify any US university at ICE's SEVP database: ice.gov/sevis. Never enroll without this check.
K-1 Fiancé
Fiancé(e) Visa
For foreign-citizen fiancés of US citizens. Requires proof of genuine relationship and intent to marry within 90 days of arrival.
Top Scam: Romance scams building fake relationships to obtain K-1 visas; human trafficking operations.
⚠ Red Flag: Anyone who refuses to video call, meet in person, or whose story changes repeatedly may be a romance scammer.
EB-5 Investor
Immigrant Investor Visa
Requires $800K–$1.05M investment in a job-creating enterprise. Only SEC-registered Regional Centers are legitimate.
Top Scam: Fraudulent "Regional Centers" collecting EB-5 investment funds and disappearing.
⚠ Red Flag: Always verify the Regional Center at USCIS.gov/EB5 before investing a single dollar. SEC has prosecuted dozens of fraudulent EB-5 schemes.
Notario Fraud
Fake Immigration Consultants
In Latin America, "Notario" means lawyer. In the US, it does not. Unlicensed "notarios" and "immigration consultants" practicing law illegally harm thousands yearly.
Protection: Only licensed attorneys or USCIS-accredited representatives can give immigration legal advice.
✅ Verify Your Rep: Check USCIS.gov/avoid-scams or state Bar Association. Free legal aid available through CLINIC.org.
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US State Dept / DSS
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USCIS
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FBI / IC3
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DHS
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Interpol
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DOJ / EOIR
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40+ Global Partners
Seen a Scam? Report It Now. Protect the Next Victim.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: VIGILANCE.WORK is an independent NGO education initiative. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a part of the US Government, State Department, USCIS, or any federal agency. Official US visa services are ONLY available at travel.state.gov, uscis.gov, and US Embassy/Consulate websites. This site provides educational anti-fraud guidance only — not legal advice. If you need legal immigration assistance, consult a licensed attorney or USCIS-accredited representative. For official fraud reporting, go directly to tips.state.gov or uscis.gov/report-fraud.