FRAUD SUMMARY - BRATISLAVA

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000422 SIPDIS STATE FOR CA/FPP, DHS FOR CIS/FDNS, CA FOR KCC WILLIAMSBURG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS KFRD CPAS CMGT ASEC LO SUBJECT: FRAUD SUMMARY - BRATISLAVA ¶1. COUNTRY CONDITIONS: Slovakia joined the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in November 2008, and the majority of former B visa travelers are now traveling under VWP. Although Slovakia had one of the best-performing economies in Europe in recent years, it has been severely affected by the global economic crisis due to its dependence on the auto industry and other foreign direct investment for employment. In the last six months, of European countries only the Baltic states have experienced a sharper contraction. Although unemployment has risen less than expected, to 11.8 percent nationally, the crisis has disproportionately hit the southern and eastern parts of the country, where some areas now have unemployment in the mid-twenties. ¶2. NIV FRAUD: Post receives four primary types of applicants: students, crew members, petition-based visas, and ESTA denials. Post has not seen any new types of fraud in student, crew, or petition-based visas. For ESTA denials, applicants most often have had refusals in the past or overstays. ¶3. IV FRAUD: As of February 2009, IVs for Slovak nationals are processed in Bratislava. During the past six months, Post has processed 38 IV cases, and no fraud has been detected. ¶4. DV FRAUD: As of February 2009, DVs for Slovak nationals are processed in Bratislava. During the reporting period, Post processed 15 DV cases, and found one case of misrepresentation in which the applicant attempted to conceal a prior overstay. ¶5. ACS AND PASSPORT FRAUD: Post has not identified any ACS or passport fraud in recent months. ¶6. ADOPTION FRAUD: Post has not had any adoption cases in the reporting period, and thus no reports of adoption fraud. ¶7. USE OF DNA TESTING: Bratislava did not employ DNA testing in the reporting period. ¶8. ASYLUM AND OTHER DHS BENEFITS FRAUD: Bratislava does not process asylum or DHS benefit cases. ¶9. ALIEN SMUGGLING, TRAFFICKING, ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORIST TRAVEL: During the past six months, Post has continued to investigate cases of applicants connected to organized crime. The Consular section participates in Post's Counter-Corruption Working Group to ensure lookout and related information is as complete as possible and if appropriate, processes revocations. Post did not identify any terrorist cases during this half year. ¶10. DS CRIMINAL FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS: Post's Consular section has a very good relationship with the RSO. During the reporting period, no cases were formally referred to the RSO. The RSO regularly cooperates on cases where local checks or other information is helpful for adjudication or further investigation. ¶11. HOST COUNTRY PASSPORT, IDENTITY DOCUMENTS, AND CIVIL REGISTRY: The GOS began issuing biometric travel documents containing a chip in January 2008. A second generation biometric passport, including a scan of the traveler's fingerprint and photo, began issuance starting June 2009. Passports are issued by a centralized authority responsible to the Ministry of the Interior. Slovak passports and identity documents meet EU security criteria and ICAO standards. Slovakia began issuing a new national ID card, based on the standard EU format, in July 2008. Post has not identified any official document fraud. ¶12. COOPERATION WITH HOST GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES: Post remains actively involved with the host government through working level contacts. ¶13. AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN: Corruption in the political and economic sphere is a significant issue in Slovakia. It has impacted a number of individual visa applications, and Post is looking at potential application of INA s.212(f) in selected cases. ¶14. STAFFING AND TRAINING: The FPU consists of one FSO and one FSN with part-time anti-fraud responsibilities. BALL