Visa scam at UK High Commission Colombo

Have we talked about passport scams at the UKHC before? Well, in case you missed the original postings, here is another endeavour of the good UK High Commission, Colombo. Before we go on, let me assure you that this is not the only scam they have, neither the only occasion that has come to my attention.

Before you get any wrong ideas, let me also add that (to their credit) for some reason, number of passport/visa scams has reduced to a very low level during the last two or so years. So don't count on getting an illegal visa through a go-between, because it is not as abundant as my post might suggest to some people! .

Actually I could write on and on about this, but I guess it suffices to just put down the emails I sent to relevant authorities – you will get the idea.

1. Email after waiting three months:

Dear Chennai DHC
We are still awaiting a response from you regarding the following. Please let us know what has happened as it is three months and we are concerned the passport is lost or some mishap has taken place.

Mrs (Name of the Applicant)
Passport # XXXXXX (Sri Lanka)
Date handed over to VFS : XX November 2013
VFS Receipt # XXXXX
Thank You

Response from Chennai DHC

Dear Mrs XXXXXX XXXX,

Thank you for the email.

I am writing to inform you that your passport has been despatched from our office on XX/11/13. Please contact VFS for the status.

Yours sincerely,

Casework Team

2. Emailed to VFS attaching a copy of UKHC Chennai response, and strangely they say:

VFS RESPONSE -

Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank You for contacting VFS UK Visa Application Centre.

Addressing your query, kindly note that your passport is not ready for collection. Kindly note that you will receive a call to the number provided at the time of submission.

Please feel free to contact us for further clarification. We will be happy to assist you as soon as possible.

Best regards,

VFS UK Visa Application Centre

3. Emailed back to UKHC Chennai

Dear Chennai Deputy HC
I am writing to you regarding my passport which it seems to be missing since handing over to you. I have written to you in this regard before and your response is attached below. With your information, I went to VFS (your service partner in Colombo) and they responded by saying they have not yet got my passport! To confirm this effect, I had emailed them and the response is also attached at the bottom. Kindly let me know what to do now as I am stranded here without a passport. A speedy response is much appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
XXXXX XX

4. Finally got VFS to respond - They took it back to square one:

Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank You for contacting VFS UK Visa Application Centre.

Addressing your query, kindly advice if you have submitted a fresh application?

Please feel free to contact us for further clarification. We will be happy to assist you as soon as possible.

Best regards,

VFS UK Visa Application Centre

VFS GLOBAL

The decision to grant or refuse a visa is taken by the Visa Section of the British High Commission and VFS Global cannot influence that decision”

5. Told them the story from the beginning (again!) and here they say:

Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank You for contacting VFS UK Visa Application Centre.

Addressing your query, kinldy note that your passport is not ready for collection. Kindly note that you will receive a call to the number provided at the time of submission.

Please feel free to contact us for further clarification. We will be happy to assist you as soon as possible.

Best regards,

VFS UK Visa Application Centre

6. Here comes the crunch.....

Contacted UK High Commission in Chennai.

No response

Reported to Immigration Fraud through their website.

No response

Reported back to UK DHC in Chennai indicating we are being asked for money.

No response

UK IDD call to authorities

No positive response

7. Emailed to Hon William Hague

Rt. Hon. William Hague

FCO

King Charles St.

SW1A 2AH

Honourable Sir,

I have written to you earlier on the poor service quality of UK Deputy High Commission at Chennai, India. This being the second instalment, I sincerely hope your office would address the issue this time. Before writing to you, I have informed Home Office outfit and reported immigration scam, and just as expected, nothing came through.

As I do not wish to waste your good time with a long grievance, here is the matter in brief.

A passport handed over to the UK High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka has gone missing. Enquiries from Chennai Deputy High Commission attests it was returned Colombo, while the service provider in Colombo indicates they have not received the passport. Now my client, Mrs XXXXX XX, is getting phone calls asking for money so as to grant the visa. We know the person calling has the passport (or a copy of the confidential visa application) as they have mentioned all personal details pertaining to the application.

I have had experience with visa scams in Sri Lanka before and this is certainly nothing new to me. But I am appalled by this particular modus operandi as now Her Majesty's officers have sunk to the level of demanding money from genuine applicants who have entitlement for entry clearance.

(Passport and application details – omitted from BLOG to preserve identity)

Sincerely expecting you would attend to this matter,and wishing you a prosperous new year (its new year here in Sri Lanka), 

I remain,

Yours etc.

My Name and contacting information

No response!!!!!!

Let me tell you again, this apathetic attitude of the UK authorities is the single major cause of visa scams and illegal immigration rackets. Nothing else. If you want to stop illegal immigration, then act when required.

Amen