Six signs of a visa scam

1. They guarantee a visa. No one can. Only the government decides.
2. They sell ballot places. Ballots are random. No one can buy or sell a win.
3. They rush you. Real deadlines exist, but a real agent explains them. A scammer just says "pay now".
4. They want unusual payment. Personal bank accounts, gift cards and cryptocurrency are warning signs.
5. There is no written agreement. A registered agent must give you one before paid work starts.
6. They contacted you first. Be careful with messages on social media or chat from people you did not contact.

If you think you have been scammed: stop paying, keep every message, and report it.

Australia

• Scamwatch
• Border Watch (visa scams)
• Complain about a migration agent (OMARA)
• ReportCyber

Papua New Guinea

• ICA online fraud and exploitation report
• National Cyber Security Centre

Fiji

• Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission
• Fiji Immigration Border Watch

Philippines

• Department of Migrant Workers hotline 1348, or contact the Department of Migrant Workers

If your country isn't listed, report it to Scamwatch or Border Watch above, and to your local police.