Scams Targeting Immigrants: Visa and Government Fraud
Immigrants and visa holders reported over $240 million in fraud losses in 2025, but the true figure is estimated to be 10-20x higher. Many victims don't report because they fear government interaction, don't know where to report, face language barriers, or believe reporting will jeopardize their immigration status. Scammers know this and exploit it — the fear of deportation is their most powerful weapon.
Whether you hold a green card, are on a work visa, are in the naturalization process, or are undocumented, understanding these scams can protect you and your family from devastating losses.
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Fake Government Agency Calls
The most terrifying scam targeting immigrants involves phone calls from people claiming to be from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), the FBI, or the Social Security Administration.
"This is Officer Williams from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We have detected irregularities in your visa documentation and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. You must pay a $4,500 fine immediately or face deportation and criminal charges. Press 1 to speak with a case officer."
The caller uses official-sounding language, may have your real name and address (from data broker sites), and creates extreme fear. They demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — methods no government agency uses.
Facts to know:
- USCIS will never call to demand immediate payment over the phone
- ICE does not call people to collect fines
- Government agencies don't accept gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency as payment
- Real government contacts come through official mail (with case numbers) or through your immigration attorney
- No government agency will threaten you with immediate arrest unless you pay on the phone
Notario Fraud
In many Latin American countries, a "notario" (notary public) is a licensed legal professional similar to an attorney. In the U.S., a notary public is simply someone authorized to witness document signings — they have no legal training or authority to provide immigration advice.
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Unscrupulous individuals in immigrant communities advertise themselves as "notarios" and offer immigration services they're not qualified to provide. They file incorrect or fraudulent applications, charge thousands of dollars for services that should cost hundreds, and may cause applicants to lose their cases entirely by making procedural errors.
Defense: Only get immigration legal help from a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. You can verify an attorney's license through your state bar association website.
Fake Immigration Services
Companies and websites advertising "guaranteed visa approval," "fast-track green cards," or "lottery visa processing" are scams. Common types include:
Diversity Visa (DV) lottery scams: The official DV lottery is free to enter through dvprogram.state.gov. Any service charging you to "enter the lottery" or claiming they can improve your chances is fraudulent. Some charge hundreds of dollars for a form that takes 10 minutes to fill out for free.
Fake visa processing websites: Websites that look like official government portals but are actually private companies that charge inflated fees. They may submit your application (charging $500 for something you could do yourself for $50) or simply collect your personal information and money without filing anything.
Employment-based visa scams: "Companies" offering to sponsor your work visa in exchange for a fee. Legitimate employers sponsor visas as part of employment — they don't charge employees for sponsorship.
IsThisAScam's 6-layer detection system can analyze suspicious websites, emails, and messages claiming to be from immigration services, helping you distinguish legitimate government communications from scams designed to exploit your immigration situation.
REAL ID and Document Scams
With REAL ID enforcement, scammers offer "assistance" getting REAL ID-compliant identification. They may:
- Charge inflated fees for help filling out DMV forms
- Offer fake documents that won't pass verification
- Collect sensitive personal information (SSN, birth certificate copies) for identity theft
REAL ID is obtained through your state DMV at standard fees. No third party can speed up the process or provide legitimate documents outside official channels.
Rental and Employment Exploitation
Some scams specifically exploit immigrants' housing and employment vulnerabilities:
Rental scams: Landlords demanding excessive deposits, refusing to provide receipts or lease agreements, or threatening to report undocumented tenants to ICE if they complain about conditions. All tenants have housing rights regardless of immigration status.
Employment scams: Employers demanding deposits for "work uniforms" or "training," paying below minimum wage with threats of reporting, or confiscating documents (passport, work permit) as leverage. These are forms of labor exploitation and trafficking, and workers have legal protections regardless of immigration status.
Protecting Yourself
- Never pay government fees through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — all legitimate government payments go through official portals or checks/money orders
- Verify any immigration-related communication by calling USCIS directly at 1-800-375-5283
- Use only licensed attorneys for immigration matters — verify at americanimmigrationlawyers.org
- The DV lottery is free — never pay anyone to enter it for you
- Keep copies of all documents — never give originals to anyone except USCIS or your attorney
- Know your rights: All people in the U.S. have constitutional rights regardless of immigration status, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney
- Report fraud without fear: you can report to the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) anonymously, or call the USCIS fraud hotline at 1-800-357-2146
Resources
- USCIS official website: uscis.gov (the only legitimate site for immigration services)
- Free/low-cost legal help: lawhelp.org and find an accredited representative at justice.gov/eoir
- Report immigration scams: FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (for exploitation cases): 1-800-799-7233
- Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (for employment exploitation): 1-866-487-9243
For more on recognizing phishing and social engineering, see our guides on understanding phishing and verifying website legitimacy.
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