The (Illicit) Visa Agent

So, cricket is going good and the week held no other promise of surprises as it was, that was till yesterday. Then yesterday morning I came to the office and there had been a call from Mrs. S.

Sir, there was a call from some Mrs. S., she said she can arrange visas to Europe for a fee, says my lovely PA as I was unpacking at the desk.

Oh, we don’t do them you know, must be a cranky case to have the audacity to openly solicit such a business, glad you weaved your way out of it.

So I put the matter to rest there and was contemplating the number of calls I get each week from both ends of this spectrum. That is people seeking illegal visas and people offering that service (asking us to find clients). My experience is to steer clear of them as soon as you get the wind of it. Firstly, though I know that few visa officers are offering visas for money. But they are hard to be found and the fee is beyond the reach of mortals. But they are there, and I have seen solid evidence. Secondly, the lamb like passengers seeking illegal entry are actually wolves in sheep clothing, if you did arrange the service, you aren’t going to get any money off them after the visa was issued.

I put my head down, look at some old files which needs attention, then the emails and other formalities. And then rings the phone, PA picks it up, and says “its Mrs. S again”. Surely I thought we heard the last from her and yet there she is on the phone waiting for me. Life. Lets try out some pleasantries and see what she really wants.

Hello, I say.

“Oh hello, I called in the morning, and was not able to get hold of you. I saw your advert on the newspaper. I can arrange Italy visa for under one million for anyone you care to forward. I have contacts with the visa officer and (@@) says can do this without any documents”.

Now this clearly is a business opportunity. But then again, I am not into that business. Yet the poor woman’s terms were those you can’t refuse. One million for an Italy visa! Surely the black market price is another 2/3 added to it and this is genuine through the embassy itself. There was the conflict inside me, tearing me apart, the money, the ease, the clear cut way it was offered…. But there was a voice in the back there saying “she’s a fraud, she can give no visa and you, of all people out there should know”. Conversation was going on, while internal struggle being won by reason over greed. I need to be diplomatic here.

Can I consider this for a couple of days and get back to you?

Surely this would buy some time and if I don’t call her, she’d drop it there. After all the number of fools out there is plenty and by Wednesday, there will be an easy prey for her somewhere else. Poor soul, may it rest in (jail?) peace.