EU Issues Urgent Warning: Massive Visa Scam Targeting Pakistanis Exposed!
The European Union (EU) has issued an urgent alert to Pakistani nationals about a rising scam aimed at those seeking visas and consular services.
Criminal groups have been spreading deceptive information through fake listings of EU embassies on Google Maps, according to a statement from the EU Delegation to Pakistan.
These fraudulent entries contain incorrect contact details, including phone numbers, for visa and consular appointments, misleading Pakistani citizens into believing they are official embassy contacts. The EU delegation has flagged these listings as part of an extensive fraud operation.
“This is a major scam orchestrated by criminal networks,” the EU delegation posted on X (formerly Twitter). The delegation stressed that the public should only trust verified information found on the official websites of EU embassies for any visa-related inquiries.
The EU also clarified that it does not manage passport or visa issuance. This process is handled by individual EU countries’ embassies and consulates. Pakistani nationals seeking to travel to EU member states must contact the relevant embassy or consulate for guidance on obtaining a Schengen visa or a National visa for non-Schengen countries.
The Schengen Area, which covers most EU countries, allows free movement for citizens and foreign nationals who meet visa requirements. However, some EU countries like Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania are not part of the Schengen Area, though Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of joining. Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are also members of the Schengen Zone, with Liechtenstein expected to join soon.
