Li Hao
A 32-YEAR-OLD Ghanaian expat who lost about 10,000 yuan (US$1,521) in a visa scam had to leave Shenzhen yesterday before his visa expired.
However, before he left, the Ghanaian, who asked for anonymity, told Shenzhen Daily of his experience to warn other expatriates.
Since his arrival in Shenzhen to run an electronics business in 2009, the Ghanaian had extended his visa every six months through agents, each time costing at least 1,200 yuan.
Before Spring Festival, the guy who often helped me deal with visa matters said he could not help me get a six-month visa because he had to do two visas to make money, but there was only one client at the time, me.
However, when I was to meet an agent in Guangzhou around Feb. 13, my girlfriend and her friends saw on the Internet that someone was doing visas for African countries, he said.
In a rush to extend his visa, the Ghanaian contacted the agent who charged 10,000 yuan for a 12-month visa and gave a Beijing address and bank account number with China Construction Bank.
The Ghanaian transferred 10,000 yuan and sent his passport through an express courier service.
However, the man asked for an extra 20,000 yuan saying only a two-year visa was available.
The Ghanaian then realized he had been the victim of a scam.
Fortunately, nobody claimed his passport when it was delivered to the Beijing address and the courier company kept the passport at the Beijing branch.
The Ghanaian finally got his passport back after explaining his situation to the courier office.
With the visa due to expire, the Ghanaian was yesterday forced to leave China for the Philippines where a visa is not required, and then apply for a new Chinese visa there. It will take at least one month, he said.
When I return, I will apply for a six-month visa through legal agents, he said.
The Ghanaian has told police and provided the text messages between him and the fraudster. Police said they would investigate when he returns.
