Visa and Immigration Fraud and Scams on the Rise

Impersonating the Home Office or Visa Application Centre

There are a variety of different scams where fraudsters claim to be contacting you from the Home Office or Visa Application Centre. In some instances, the number from which they contact you may appear similar or the same as the general contact number for the specific centre. However, more often than not, the number will be withheld.

The fraudster will not ask for an urgent and immediate payment due to one or more of the following reasons:

• They can provide forged documents to ensure your visa is approved
• You have not paid the correct fee and need to pay more to stop your application from being declined
• You are at risk of having your visa cancelled or of being deported

Under no circumstances should you make a payment. If in doubt, contact the Home Office or Visa Application Centre directly to address any concerns you may have.

Impersonating an Immigration Law Firm or Consultancy

Many migrants use an Immigration Law Firm or Immigration Consultancy to process their visa application. Over time, some of these businesses (including First Migration) build up an excellent reputation amongst migrant communities. This makes them an obvious target for impersonation.

Fraudsters will often pose as First Migration or other industry-leading immigration firms and ask for payments for the following reasons:

• They can find you a job and sponsor if you pay a ‘finders fee’.
• They can guarantee you a successful application if you pay an additional fee.
• The Home Office have asked for additional fees and you need to make a payment.

Needless to say, neither First Migration nor any other reputable immigration firm will ask you to make a payment of this nature. Always look to end the call and contact the company directly using a phone number from a trusted source such as Google Business.

Impersonating a UK Employer with a Sponsor Licence

Perhaps the most prolific of immigration scams is fraudsters posing as a company within the UK that is holding a sponsor licence. This allows them to sponsor and hire foreign workers under the Skilled Worker Visa scheme. This type of visa is highly sought after, and many prospective migrants openly advertise their interest in public forums, opening themselves up to potential scams and fraud.

Anyone approached about a role with a UK employer under a Skilled Worker Visa should note:

• Reputable firms will not ask you to pay the application fees, particularly upfront, before the visa is granted.
• UK companies conduct an extensive recruitment process that includes a number of interviews. Only then will an offer be made, which must be agreed upon before the visa process can commence.
• If any payment request is made from an external company, such as a recruitment agent, you should confirm this with the company’s HR department.

If you’re in any doubt about the legitimacy of a job offer, always contact the sponsoring company directly to confirm the job offer.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been the Victim of Fraud or a Scam?

If you’ve been the victim of a visa and immigration scam, you should report it to Action Fraud. When reporting the offence, always include the following:

• A copy of the suspicious email, message or call (if available) along with the sender’s email address, contact details and the date and time it was received.
• Details of any response you sent, including whether you made a payment or provided personal information like your bank details, address, or password.

You can also report suspicious emails, letters, or phone calls to the police via Action Fraud.