Fake Immigration Scams
Threats of deportation or visa problems used to extort payment from migrants and visitors.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake immigration scams impersonate immigration or border authorities, threatening deportation, detention or visa cancellation unless you pay fees or fines immediately. They prey on fear and unfamiliarity with the system.
How it works
A caller or message claims there's a problem with your immigration status or paperwork and demands urgent payment to 'fix' it. Victims, often migrants or international students, are pressured to pay secretly and quickly.
Common red flags
- Threats of immediate deportation or detention by phone
- Demands for payment by gift card, crypto, or transfer
- Pressure and secrecy
- Caller can't be verified through official immigration channels
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
[Immigration authority]: Your visa is cancelled and deportation is scheduled. Pay [amount] now to stop it.
Payment methods used
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Bank transfer
Who is usually targeted
- Migrants
- International students
- Visa holders
- Tourists
What to do immediately
- Hang up and don't pay
- Verify your status only through official immigration channels
- Seek advice from a registered immigration adviser if worried; report the scam
Evidence to preserve
- Caller/sender details
- Messages and documents
- Payment demands
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Can immigration authorities demand instant payment to avoid deportation?
No. Immigration matters follow formal legal processes with written notices and appeal rights. Threats of instant deportation by phone, with demands for gift-card or crypto payment, are scams.