The European Union (EU) has issued a stern warning to Pakistani citizens regarding a growing scam that targets individuals seeking visas and consular appointments.
According to a statement by the EU Delegation to Pakistan, criminal organizations have been spreading false information through fraudulent listings of EU member states’ embassies on Google Maps. These fake entries include incorrect contact details, such as phone numbers, which are being used to mislead and exploit Pakistani nationals.
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“This is a significant scam carried out by criminal networks,” the delegation announced on X (formerly Twitter). The public is strongly advised to rely only on verified information available on the official websites of EU embassies for visa-related queries.
The delegation emphasized that only the official embassy websites provide accurate and legitimate details about visa applications and consular services. Listings on Google Maps or other directories should not be trusted, it warned.
Additionally, the EU office clarified that it does not handle visa or passport issuance. These responsibilities lie solely with the respective embassies and consulates of individual EU member states. Pakistani nationals seeking to travel to the EU must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for assistance in obtaining a Schengen visa for travel within the Schengen Area or a National visa for non-Schengen countries.
The Schengen Area allows border-free movement for over 400 million EU citizens and eligible foreign nationals, including tourists and businesspeople. However, it is important to note that certain EU countries—Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania—are not yet part of the Schengen Area, although Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of joining. Meanwhile, non-EU countries like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are members of the Schengen zone, with Liechtenstein expected to join soon.
