Is This Legit and legal???

[JANETandLYLE 11]

Ok, A friend of mine has been talking to a gal from Africa for about 3 weeks now. She has asked for money already and now they were talking about getting a visa for her to come here at some point. I have been advising him already to run from this gal, but until today that had not happened. Last night he was told by her to contact this travel agency as they could get her the required visa she needed to be with him. He had already advised her that all this needed to happen with the US Government (Immigration) being involved in the legal process. She said this could be handled by this travel agency. Please read what they sent him, and give your advice on this email he was sent. What do you all think of this? Is this even legal? Have any of you heard of anything like this before? Personally, I told him to RUN FAST! Thanks, Lyle

From: akwaaba_travelagency1@fastermail.com

To: xxxxxxxxxxx

Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 04:48:48 -0500

Subject: Informaton

Thank you for contacting the Akwaaba Travel Agency. l'm at your service, for your information i will like to know the type of visa that you will need my help with, also you will have to provide me with your contact informations, Full name, Address and a contact phone number that we can reach you on anytime when anymore information is needed from you. I will provide you with the required details, kindly get back to me with the visa type that you will want us to obtain for the person, with the type of visa you will want the person to travel with.

1, Working visa: for One year valid, this will take 14days to process after payment has been done. Cost= $530.00 USD including tax

2, Working visa: for One year six months valid, also takes 14days after payment has been done. Cost= $699.98 USD including tax

3, Working visa: for Two years valid, also takes 14 days after payment has been done. Cost= $789.89 USD including tax

4, Working visa: for Three years valid, also takes 14days after payment has been done. Cost= $860.22 USD including tax

5, Tourist visa: for Four months valid, this takes 7days after payment has been done. Cost= $390.00 USD including tax

6, Tourist visa: Six months valid, also takes 14days after payment has been done. Cost= $499.75 USD including tax

7, Tourist visa: for Eight months valid, also takes 7days after payment has been done. Cost= $596.80 USD including tax

The passport will cost $95.00

Please get back to me and let me know the type of visa that you want us to obtain for your friend, also i will need your full name,address and your contact phone number for the sponsorship. The company policies, we do not accept credit card either cheque.with the payment we do accept cash and money transfer via ( Money Gram or Western Union ).I hope this information will sue what you need and also will be waiting to hear from you soon and assist you.

Best regards,

Akwaaba Travel Agency

(The Manager)

Mr Ernest Osio

+233 2421-01874

Edited May 13, 2009 by moparmusclecars

[payxibka 10,045]

[Hell0W0rld 10]

agreed

[canadian_wife 1,808]

oh wow, how much easier this process would be if we could all get our visas through a travel agency.

I've had a US work visa - it is issued by the US government and NOT a travel agency.

Tell him to run for the hills and don't look back.

[venusfire503 54]

I think you're absolutely right. Not only should your friend run from this "Travel Agency" idea, but yes, also from the girl. It sounds to me like she's just trying to get some money. Maybe a friend of hers is posing as a travel agency. IF this 'agency' gets ahold of his money, he'll never hear from her again - my personal thoughts. My husband told me there are places like this in Morocco - try to get people to pay high fees in exchange for these promises of getting a visa and/or a job. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SCAMS.

If on the long chance that there is an agency who would get her a 'visa', be very sure it will be fake, and she won't be able to use it.

The only question is if she's the scammer, or is being scammed herself.

Good luck trying to get him to listen - it sounds like he won't, but you're a good friend to try anyway.

venusfire

[raymaga 25]

I always say.... if it sounds too go to be true, it's probably not true!!!!

RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!!!! And don't be so easily fooled again!!!!

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

google romance scams and make sure your firend is at the monitor The agency is a firend or actual the person behind the keys .... run run run

[Bobby+Umit 161]

No- it's not legit...

Tell your friend to drop this one...

[Mike B. 231]

If akwaaba_travelagency1@fastermail.com said it, it must be true. I'd just pay the $900.

[sunandmoon 450]

[YuAndDan 153]

Not K-1 visa related, moving this to the general immigrations forum.

[Old Dominion 26]

This effort to scam American guys comes up pretty regularly from some African nations. The procedure is exactly as your friend describes: pay a travel agency, and "my love, I will be there in a week." Next comes the air fare which must be arranged only through the agency.....etc. etc. and even someone to escort her at the airport because it's not safe for a single woman to be there (the agency also arranges that)......

[Ban Hammer 13,113]

so this is the newest nigerian scam.

[payxibka 10,045]

so this is the newest nigerian scam.

I got an e-mail from Mrs. Bernie Madoff the other day....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If akwaaba_travelagency1@fastermail.com said it, it must be true. I'd just pay the $900.