This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
201446Z May 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 002271
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR CA/FPP, VO, CA/EX, WHA/AND, DS
MEXICO FOR DHS
MEXICO FOR DHS
DHS FOR CAO
E.O.E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFRD CVIS KCRM ASEC CMGT CJAN PE
SUBJECT: AN EYE FOR A VISA -- FAKING EYE INJURIES TO GET
VISAS
1. (U) Summary: Post's Fraud Prevention Unit was contacted
by internal auditors for the Peruvian Ministry of Women and
Social Development (MIMDES) who were auditing the National
Council for Integration for the Handicapped (CONADIS).
During the course of their audit, they determined that
someone with access to CONADIS was providing malafide
applicants with genuine documentation confirming a physical
handicap based on fraudulent medical certifications. These
certifications were used to support applications for visas
to travel for medical treatment to the United States. FPU
identified the individuals who submitted applications using
CONADIS letters of support. Those applicants with pending
applications were invited to the Embassy for interviews.
Two of the applicants were interviewed and then arrested by
the Peruvian National Police (PNP). They admitted paying a
visa fixer USD 5,000 for providing the certification letters
and official government documentation. Post will be
requesting Department's assistance via septel to revoke
visas issued to those applicants who obtained them under
this scheme. End Summary.
Background
----------
2. (U) In mid-April, a group of auditors from the Peruvian
Ministry of Women and Social Development (MIMDES) approached
Post's Fraud Prevention Unit with information on a scheme
they detected while auditing CONADIS (National Council for
Integration for the Handicapped). The auditors found that
as far back as 2002, CONADIS had been issuing certifications
for handicapped members of their organization who claimed to
need eye treatment in the U.S. To support their claim for
medical treatment, the applicants (even children) applied
for their visas with one eye glued shut to simulate a vision
handicap, apparently using crazy glue.
3. (SBU) For a fee of $5,000 the visa fixers, Pedro Luis
CAMPOS Parra (DOB 02Nov65) and Miguel Ruperto CAMPOS Parra
(DOB 10Sep58) fabricated medical certifications for malafide
applicants, specifically confirming an eye condition
manifested as a disfigured eye that did not open. Claiming
to be an employee at CONADIS, Pedro CAMPOS obtained
legitimate documentation certifying that the person was
handicapped. Two social workers at CONADIS, Narciza del
Pilar Solis Zarzosa (DOB 11May73) and Karina Edith Chero
Amero (DOB 23Jun71) were identified as the employees who
assisted Pedro CAMPOS in preparing the official
documentation. The institute also provided a letter
addressed to the Consul General requesting assistance in
issuing visas for U.S. medical treatment.
4. (SBU) Post identified 11 fraudulent visa applications
since May 2004. These applicants all solicited visas to
travel to receive eye treatment or surgery at Bascon Palmer
Eye Institute in Miami, or to accompany a minor traveling
for that purpose. While some of the applicants had been
denied visas under Section 214(b) of the INA, a number had
been issued. Four applicants had pending applications.
The Sting
---------
5. (U) Working closely with RSO and the Peruvian National
Police (PNP), two of the four applicants who had
applications pending at Post, Julio Oswaldo AGUILAR Rojas
(DOB 31Jan55) and Paul Francisco CALDERON Rios (DOB
03Jul78), were invited for second interviews on May 5, 2005.
PNP officials filmed one of them, Aguilar, at his mechanic
shop the day before the interview. He had both eyes open
and no apparent eye problems. For his interview the
following day, Aguilar appeared at the Embassy with one of
his eyes glued shut. He admitted to ARSO that CAMPOS Parra
had obtained the documentation from CONADIS for Aguilar to
submit in support of his application.
6. (SBU) Aguilar and Calderon were found ineligible for
visas under section 212(a)(6)(C) and were arrested by the
PNP for further investigation. At the police station, both
admitted that they had agreed to pay the Campos brothers
$5,000 to arrange for documentation to travel to the United
States. Calderon had made a down payment of $1,500; Aguilar
$2,000. Both Miguel Ruberto Campos and Pedro Campos were
arrested on 05May05. Pedro Campos' visa has been revoked
under section 212(a)(6)(E) quasi of the INA. He has been
invited to the consular section for an interview once he is
released from jail. Miguel Campos has been found ineligible
for a visa under 212(a)(6)(E) quasi as Post has no record of
a visa issuance in his name.
Conclusion and Follow Up
------------------------
7. (U) Six applicants were issued visas solely for the
purpose of medical treatment in the U.S. or to accompany a
minor traveling for that purpose. CONADIS has confirmed
that their medical certificates are fraudulent. Post
believes all the applicants paid Campos a fee to obtain
fraudulent medical certificates and official Peruvian
government documentation to support their visa applications.
They followed Campos' instructions in applying for their
visas and, at the time of their visa interview, appeared
with one eye glued shut. Their records with Peruvian
immigration show departure from Peru to the U.S. and no
return. As misrepresentation was material to visa issuance,
the adult applicants are ineligible for visas under section
212(a)(6)(C). The children no longer overcome 214b. Post
is requesting, via septel, Department assistance in revoking
their visas.
8. (SBU) In addition, Gozalo Alegria, Carlos Manuel (DOB
21Jul75) was issued a visa for the same purpose and CONADIS
has confirmed that his medical certificate was false. His
Peruvian Immigration departure/arrival record shows he
traveled to the U.S. and returned to Peru. His visa (foil
number 71508668; issued on 8Jun04) is now expired and Post
has entered him into CLASS under section 212(a)(6)(C) quasi.
Struble