Operation Clean Slate: US Embassy Wipes Out 2,000 Bot-Generated Visa Slots

In a major crackdown, the United States Embassy in India cancelled over 2,000 visa appointments that were allegedly booked by automated bots. This move is part of a broader anti-fraud operation to give equal access to visa appointments to applicants who are genuine. The embassy reaffirmed its "zero tolerance" policy for agents and fixers who manipulate scheduling policies.

 

It was issued on March 26, 2025, via the embassy's social media platform. The embassy revealed that it has identified "bad actors" who conduct such scams and revoked their scheduling privileges with immediate effect. The move has come amid a growing complaint regarding outrageously long waiting periods for visa appointments, especially for B1 and B2 visas needed for business and tourism.

 

The move by the embassy is a show of commitment to maintaining the integrity of the visa application process and seeks to discourage such acts of fraud in the future. The ordeal has seen local authorities initiate investigations into the networks that run such scams.

 

Source: Hindustan Times