New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) The Australian High Commission in India has joined international partners in raising awareness about visa scams and fraudulent migration practices as part of International Fraud Awareness Week which is being held from November 16-22.
Visa fraud has become a growing global concern, with criminals deceiving individuals through fake visa documents, false guarantees, and claims of being legitimate migration agents. These scams can result in financial loss, emotional distress, and long-term impacts on a person’s ability to travel.
At the 2025 Five Country Ministerial (FCM) in September, Ministers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the integrity of migration and border systems.
As part of this initiative, a coordinated four-country campaign, ‘Fighting Visa Fraud’, was launched to protect migrants and strengthen global border integrity. While the United States is unable to participate in this year’s launch, it continues to support the campaign.
The campaign focuses on educating visa applicants about the risks and tactics used by fraudulent facilitators, reducing the global impact of visa fraud, and promoting safe practices when engaging with visa and migration services.
Tailored awareness messages will continue throughout 2026, especially during peak visa application periods.
The High Commission cautioned that scam agents often operate within communities while posing as authorised migration professionals. Applicants are urged to remain vigilant and rely only on trusted, official government sources and report scams by visiting the official website. The Australian Government reiterated that it never seeks payments via social media platforms or unofficial websites.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, said,“Visa scams exploit people’s hopes and dreams. There is a lot of false visa information online and on social media, including fake success stories. By raising awareness, we can help protect visa applicants from losing their savings and safeguard the integrity of Australia’s migration system.”
He added, “Australia is proud to stand with our international partners to combat visa fraud. The Fighting Visa Fraud campaign sends a clear message, if you are applying for a visa, always use trusted, official sources and beware of anyone promising shortcuts or guaranteed results.”
The campaign underscores the collective commitment of Australia and its global partners to combat visa fraud and highlights the crucial role of public awareness in preventing such crimes.
