Almost fell for a B1/B2 early appointment scam in Canada- Here's their new tactics [With Call Recording]
I wanted to share my recent experience to help others avoid these scams.
My Story:
I recently applied for a B1/B2 visa in Toronto for an upcoming hackathon (in 3 months), only to discover the interview wait time was 2 YEARS! 😱
The Desperate Search:
- Joined multiple Telegram groups
- Tried WhatsApp groups
- Nothing seemed legitimate
- Getting more desperate by the day
Enter the Scammer:
Found someone promising early dates in Toronto. He seemed REALLY convincing because:
- Asked about my preferred dates/times
- Said certain slots weren't possible (seemed honest?)
- Claimed he had "pre-booked early slots" ready to transfer
- Most convincingly: Said I only need to pay AFTER getting the slot
The First Red Flag:
- Initially asked for my login credentials
- Said he needed them to "transfer" the early slot
- When I expressed concerns about sharing login details
- He kept insisting it was "completely safe"
- I firmly refused
The New Scam Approach:
After a week of silence, he reached out again with a "better solution":
- Sent a link: https://ais-usavisa-info.com
- Claimed this site had pre-booked slots ready to transfer
- "No login sharing needed now!"
- Said I could see available dates right there
- Payment only after confirmation
The Catch:
Look carefully at that URL:
- Fake: https://ais-usavisa-info.com
- Real: https://ais-usvisa-info.com
(Spot the extra 'a' in 'usavisa')
I recorded my call with him (excuse my background noise/English). His responses when questioned about the process were... interesting. [Video attached]
PROTECT YOURSELF:
- Always check the exact URL
- Be wary of "pre-booked transferable slots"
- Never share login credentials
- Even "pay after confirmation" can be a trap
- If it sounds too good to be true...
Feel free to ask questions about spotting these scams!
Edit: For closure - ended up getting an earlier slot through a friend's contact later. Paid upfront (ironically), but made it to the hackathon. Main point: be careful of these scams!