The European Union (EU) Delegation to Pakistan has issued a stern warning about a scam targeting Pakistani nationals seeking visas and consular services. In an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the EU revealed that criminal organizations are creating fraudulent entries for EU member states’ embassies on platforms like Google Maps. These fake listings include misleading information about visa and consular appointments, as well as counterfeit contact numbers designed to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
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“This is a serious scam by criminal organizations,” the EU Delegation emphasized, urging citizens to rely solely on authentic information provided by the official websites of EU member states’ embassies. The warning is part of the EU’s efforts to protect Pakistani travelers from falling victim to this growing fraud.
Reliance on Verified Sources Urged
The EU Delegation clarified that only the websites of EU member states’ embassies contain accurate and reliable details about visa applications and consular matters. Citizens were cautioned against trusting information found on Google Maps or other unofficial directories, which may lead them to fraudulent sources.
“The EU Delegation would like to stress that only the websites of EU Member States’ embassies provide authentic information and contact data for all visa and consular issues,” the statement read.
The Delegation also reiterated that it does not issue visas or passports. These tasks are exclusively managed by the embassies and consulates of individual EU member states. Pakistani citizens were urged to directly contact the relevant embassy or consulate for visa-related inquiries and applications.
Understanding Schengen and National Visas
The EU provided a detailed explanation of the visa system to guide Pakistani travelers. Citizens require a Schengen visa to travel within the Schengen Area, which enables border-free movement across most EU member states. A National visa is necessary for visiting EU countries outside the Schengen zone.
The Schengen Area currently includes most EU member states, except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania. Bulgaria and Romania, however, are in the process of joining the Schengen Area. Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are already part of the Schengen zone, with Liechtenstein expected to join soon.
The Schengen visa allows visitors to enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region, which includes over 400 million EU citizens as well as many non-EU nationals, such as businesspeople and tourists legally present in the area.
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The EU Delegation’s warning highlights the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities. Criminal organizations are exploiting digital platforms like Google Maps to mislead travelers, making it crucial for individuals to verify all information through official channels. The EU also advised citizens to avoid using contact numbers or details found on unverified platforms and to seek guidance only from the respective embassy or consulate of their travel destination.