The Embassy of India in Washington, DC has released a warning regarding a current scam in which criminals are impersonating the Embassy’s phone lines to mislead individuals. These deceptive calls, which seem to come from the Embassy’s official number (202-939-7000), primarily target Indian nationals with the aim of obtaining personal information or extorting funds.The Embassy reports that these scammers pose as Embassy officials, alleging that there are problems with passports, visa applications, or immigration documents. They misleadingly assert that these alleged issues can only be resolved through monetary payments. Additionally, they threaten that neglecting to address these matters could lead to deportation to India or imprisonment in the United States.In certain cases, the callers have falsely claimed to possess sensitive information from the Embassy or other Indian authorities. This fraudulent activity has also affected visa applicants, who have received similar calls purportedly from the Embassy, further complicating the situation.
The Embassy of India has made it clear that no officials will ever reach out to individuals requesting personal information over the phone. If further documentation is necessary for an existing application, it will only be solicited via email from the official domain @mea.gov.in. As a precautionary measure, the Embassy advises everyone to exercise caution and refrain from engaging with any suspicious calls. It is recommended that no personal information or money be disclosed to such callers. Individuals who receive fraudulent calls are encouraged to report the incidents by emailing cons1.washington[at]mea.gov.in. Moreover, those who have experienced such spoofed calls are invited to provide details about the incidents by completing a form and sending it to cpers.washington@mea.gov.in with the subject line “INFORMATION ON SPOOFED CALLS.” The Embassy continues to emphasize the importance of vigilance and the protection of personal information.
