The United States of America (US) Mission in Nigeria has drawn the attention of the public to a fake press release announcing a new work visa for Nigerians. The US Embassy denied the alleged work visa for Nigerian citizens aged 40 to 55. It disclaimed the purported report in a tweet on its official Twitter page @USinNigeria on Wednesday. The press release had clarified that those eligible for the work visa are health workers, accountants, engineers, marine workers, among others. The alleged initial press release being circulated claimed that “President Joe Biden, the 46 US President has signed an Executive Order that interested citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who measure in some special professions are eligible for American Work E-Visa and Residence Permit. This was communicated to the Nigeria US Department of immigration.
“The terms of the Executive Order allows 25,000 citizens of the Republic of Nigeria between the age of 40 to 55 whose area of expertise are among the following: Health workers, engineers, marine workers, accountants.”
The disclaimer however put it that “Scammers and fraudsters are circulating a fake “press release” claiming to offer a new type of work visa to Nigerian citizens aged 40-55. It’s the same old scam, but in fresh packaging - don’t become a victim. If you have questions about whether visa information is legitimate, please refer only to official sources” the tweet read.
Also, a post on the website of the Office of Visa Services, US Department of State, advised the public to remain cautious of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to the Diversity Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants.
The US said the scammers behind such fraudulent emails and letters posed as the U.S. government in an effort to extract payment from DV applicants.
