The US Embassy in India has annulled approximately 2,000 visa appointments following the uncovering of extensive fraudulent activity within its appointment scheduling system. The embassy’s investigation revealed that “malicious actors” had manipulated the system with automated tools, breaching the established policies. Consequently, these appointments were revoked, and the corresponding accounts were suspended.

An internal probe, conducted between May and August of the previous year, uncovered a network of 30 agents involved in submitting counterfeit documents to obtain visas for applicants. These agents operated from various IP addresses and had ties to visa consultants, document suppliers, and other service providers. Delhi Police took action by filing a case on February 27, after the embassy raised an alarm about the fraud.

This recent action is part of the embassy’s broader push to uphold the credibility of its visa process, which has seen stricter scrutiny since the Trump administration’s focus on strengthening US borders. Though the cancellations have caused disruption for many applicants, the embassy has not yet clarified how those impacted can rebook their appointments.

For years, the visa application process in India has been a target for agents promising quick fixes for hefty fees. As the investigation progresses, authorities are intensifying their collaboration to eliminate fraudulent networks. Genuine applicants are advised to use official channels to avoid falling victim to scams.