INVESTIGATION INTO A2 VISA FRAUD IN MAURITANIA

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000699 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR CA/FPP FRANKFURT FOR RCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFRD CVIS CPAS CMGT MR SUBJECT: INVESTIGATION INTO A2 VISA FRAUD IN MAURITANIA ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On October 20, 2009 airport security in Dakar, Senegal discovered a Mauritanian citizen with an A2 visa who admitted that he was not an official diplomat and had obtained his visa through fraudulent means in Mauritania. Immediately following this incident, Post's consular officer conducted a review of all A2 and G2 visas issued in the previous 12 months in Mauritania. Using the DHS ADIS system, Post notes that 13 of the short term, TDY A2 visa recipients issued in Nouakchott apparantly did not leave the United States after their scheduled visits. Ambassador has requested a meeting with the Mauritanian FM to discuss these cases and new visa application policies for A2 and G2 visa requests. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On October 20, 2009 a Mauritanian citizen with an A2 visa for a TDY assignment at the Mauritanian Embassy in Washington, DC was stopped by Delta airline security trying to board a flight to Washington, DC because his stated purpose of travel did not match his visa classification. After questioning, he admitted that he was not a diplomat and he claimed that he paid USD 7,600 to be presented to the Embassy as a official traveller. A review of consular records in Nouakchott indicates that the individual's visa was requested via a diplomatic note from the Mauritanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomatic note appears to be authentic. Immediately following the incident, this individual's visa was revoked and Post's consular officer conducted a review of all A2 and G2 visas issued in the previous 12 months. Using the DHS ADIS system, Post notes that 13 of the short term, TDY A2 visa recipients aren't documented as having left the United States after their scheduled visits. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador has requested a meeting with the Mauritanian FM to discuss these cases and new visa application policies for A2 and G2 visa requests. Effective immediately, all A2 and G2 visa applicants who have not previously been granted A2 or G2 visas must make a personal appearance at the American Embassy. Exemptions from the personal appearance requirement will be granted to the following senior officials: President and Counselors of the Presidency, Prime Minister and Counselors of the Prime Minister, Parliamentarians, Ministers, Secretaries General of Ministries, Walis (governors),Mayors, Career Diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Military, Police or Security Officers of the rank of Major and above. ¶4. (U) Following the Ambassador's meeting with the Foreign Minister, if it is determined that the diplomatic notes in question were issued for non-qualified individuals, the Embassy will forward the biographic data of all individuals suspected of entering the United States under false pretenses. BOULWARE