The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have issued a joint  fraud alert highlighting their awareness of multiple investment scams targeting foreign nationals who seek to become lawful permanent residents through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. To help avoid scams, the SEC and USCIS recommend person interested in the EB-5 program take the following steps:

1. Confirm that the regional center has been designated by USCIS.
2. Obtain copies of documents provided to USCIS.
3. Request investment information in writing.
4. Ask if promoters are being paid.
5. Seek independent verification.
6. Examine structural risk.
7. Consider the developer’s incentives.
8. Look for warning signs of fraud, such as promises of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident, guaranteed investment returns or no investment risk, overly consistent high investment returns, unregistered investments, unlicensed sellers, and layers of companies run by the same individuals.