Fake Visa & Green Card Services on Gumtree
Fraudulent immigration consultants advertise cheap visa processing services on Gumtree, take payment and documents upfront, and then deliver nothing while disappearing from the platform.
Part of: Fake Visa & Green Card Services
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Gumtree's services section is used by genuine immigration advisers but also attracts fraudsters who undercut legitimate fees to attract financially stretched applicants. A listing offering cut-price visa processing or 'guaranteed' work permit approval can generate multiple victims before the platform removes it.
Applicants who find the service through Gumtree may assume that marketplace accountability mechanisms protect them — in practice, once payment is made and communication moves off-platform, recovery options are limited.
How this scam works on Gumtree
A Gumtree listing advertises immigration consulting services with prices significantly below the market rate. Contact is made via the platform's messaging system, and the fraudster quickly moves communication to WhatsApp or email. They request payment upfront for 'government fees' and ask the victim to upload documents to a link or send them directly.
After payment, the fraudster provides a fake application reference number and excuses about processing delays. They eventually stop responding, having already moved on to new victims using a fresh Gumtree listing under a different name.
Some fraudsters use Gumtree as a first contact only, directing applicants to a fake website that mirrors a genuine immigration law firm, complete with fabricated testimonials and accreditation logos.
Common red flags
- Gumtree immigration service listing priced significantly below the market rate
- Contact that quickly moves away from the Gumtree platform to WhatsApp or email
- Upfront payment for 'government fees' before any formal consultation
- No traceable business address, phone number, or regulatory registration
- Request for passport or personal documents before a signed client agreement
- Fake application reference numbers used to stall victims asking for updates
How to protect yourself
- Check any Gumtree immigration adviser against your country's official regulatory register before paying
- Never move communication off Gumtree until you have verified the adviser's credentials
- Obtain a signed client agreement before paying any fee or sharing documents
- Pay only through traceable methods — avoid cash, cryptocurrency, or international wire transfer
- Report suspicious listings to Gumtree using the 'Report this ad' link
How to report it
- Click 'Report this ad' on the Gumtree listing to alert the moderation team
- File a complaint with your country's immigration adviser regulatory body
- Report to your national consumer protection authority if money was lost
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refund if a Gumtree immigration service was fraudulent?
If payment was made by debit or credit card, contact your bank to request a chargeback. Payments made by cash, cryptocurrency, or money transfer are very difficult to recover. Report the fraud to your national consumer protection authority, which may be able to take action against the operator.