The American Embassy in Tirana has recently warned Albanian citizens about a fraud scheme through which some people, in the name of this embassy, had falesely guaranteed free trips to the United States, as well as free or low-cost American visas.
Through a post on X yesterday, June 6, the Embassy announced that it had discovered the existence of a “Let’s Talk Together About US24” group, which is not anyhow related to the Embassy VisaGuide.World reports.
The US Embassy is aware of an alleged project known as “Let’s Talk Together About US24.” This group has no affiliation with the US Embassy, the US Department of State, the US Department of Education, our educational programs, or Embassy personnel.
Police Arrest 2 Women for Decieving Albanian Citizens
After the American Embassy in Tirana raised the alarm, the police arrested two women who had created the project mentioned above.
The scandal deepens further as one of the arrested women is known to be part of the education system, more precisely, an education official at the local level, part of the General Directorate of Pre-University Education in the Ministry of Education. The investigations are still ongoing due to suspicions that other people may be involved in the scheme.
The created project was sold as if it was part of the American Embassy in Tirana projects to be more credible. According to the information from the Embassy, it discovered the scheme and the perpetrators and then notified the State Police, which acted on the ground to arrest the persons involved.
The US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service is said to continue working with the State Police as they investigate the extent of this fraudulent scheme. In this regard, the Embassy called on citizens to beware of fraudulent schemes promising American visas cheaply and quickly.
We urge all Albanians to be wary of scams that guarantee free trips to the US, as well as free or reduced-cost US visas. We also urge anyone to contact the US Embassy if they suspect a person or organization is attempting to misrepresent themselves as affiliated with the Embassy.
Tirana Prosecution Faces Similar Cases Since the Start of 2024
In February of this year, six people were also charged with “Fraud” and the forgery of stamps, seals and forms by the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana after they forged the American visa application form against payment in cooperation with each other.