The South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent websites offering visa services for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Dr. Arou Ramadan Chan, the SSBF Secretary General, addressed the press on Tuesday, alerting citizens to the risks of falling victim to online scammers seeking money for visa services to France.
Dr. Arou clarified that the legitimate visa application process involves accessing a link provided on the South Sudan Basketball Federation’s page, which directs applicants to the necessary details for visa payment.
However, he emphasized that visa issuance requires applicants to travel to the Embassy of France in Ethiopia for biometrics, as South Sudan lacks the necessary infrastructure.
“We have not authorized anyone to facilitate visa issuance in South Sudan,” Dr. Arou cautioned. “Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and could be criminal in nature.”
Francis Ezekiel Idris, the Deputy Executive Director of the South Sudan National Olympics Committee, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that only authorized bodies, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, SSBF, and South Sudan National Olympics Committee, can assist with visa applications.
“Scammers may attempt to exploit this opportunity to defraud our people,” warned Ezekiel. “It is essential to exercise caution and rely only on authorized channels for visa processing.”
The national basketball team, known as the Bright Stars, secured their place in the Paris Olympic Games after a historic victory against Angola in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
