Former French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie Ave, has warned against using middlemen to obtain travel visas, especially for parts of Europe.
She stated that some individuals are still paying these middlemen significant amounts of money in the hope of securing a Schengen visa, in particular.
In a post shared via X on April 13, Ave advised individuals to be cautious when dealing with such individuals who promise to secure their visas for them.
She urged unsuspecting individuals to report such incidents or persons engaging in this illegal activity to the police, as they are nothing but “crooks.”
“I hear some people still pay crooks to get visas. Anyone asking for money and pretending he can help you get a visa is a crook. Do not reply. Report to the police,” Anne Sophie Ave warned.
She added; “Do not use their services, you will be denied 100 percent and possibly banned from all 27 countries.”
A middleman is someone who claims to have connections or influence with embassy officials and offers to assist with the visa application process for a fee.
However, using a middleman to secure a visa is not only risky but also considered visa fraud. This could negatively impact one’s chances of obtaining a valid visa in the future.