Fake Immigration Scams via Wire Transfer
How fraudsters posing as immigration agencies request bank wire transfers for fake visa and processing fees.
Part of: Fake Immigration Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Some fake immigration scams target applicants navigating real processes by demanding a bank wire transfer for an invented fee. The scammer references a 'priority processing' charge, a 'bond,' or a 'reinstatement fee' and provides wire instructions to an account dressed up to look official.
Wire transfers move quickly and are hard to reverse, which makes them attractive for collecting larger sums. Genuine immigration fees are paid through official, documented channels — never by wiring money to a private account on a caller's instruction.
How this scam works on wire transfer
The victim, perhaps awaiting a visa decision, receives a call or email claiming their case needs an urgent fee to proceed or to avoid denial. An official-looking letter or email provides wire details and a tight deadline.
The victim wires the funds, which land in a mule account and are quickly forwarded. The scammer then claims a 'verification' or 'compliance' hold and requests a second, larger wire to 'release' the application.
Because the victim genuinely has a pending matter, the request feels plausible. The scammer leverages that anxiety to push repeated transfers before the victim verifies through official channels.
Common red flags
- You are asked to wire an immigration fee to a private bank account
- An urgent deadline threatens denial of your case if you do not wire funds
- The receiving account does not match any official agency payment channel
- A second, larger wire is demanded to 'release' your application
- The request arrives by phone or email rather than official documented process
- The fee name sounds plausible but cannot be verified on an official site
How to protect yourself
- Pay immigration fees only through official, documented government channels
- Verify any fee request with a licensed immigration attorney or the agency directly
- Never wire money to a private account based on a call or email
- Ask your bank to review wire details for fraud markers before sending
- If you wired funds, contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall
- Keep all letters, emails, and wire records as evidence
How to report it
- Report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Contact your bank's fraud department to attempt a wire recall and file a report
- Report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an immigration fee request is real?
Legitimate fees are listed on official government websites and paid through documented channels, not by wiring money to a private account. If you are unsure, stop and verify with the agency directly or a licensed attorney before sending anything.