Indian Consulate Warns Expatriates About Visa Scam

The Consulate General of India in Dubai issued a formal fraud advisory on Monday, August 31, 2026, warning Indian expatriates—particularly blue-collar workers—about scammers soliciting sensitive biometric data under the guise of visa and residency services.

• Fraudsters pose as authorized agents to request face scans, eye scans, fingerprints, passport copies, and Emirates ID copies.
• Scammers use pretexts like visa regularizations, emergency certificates, exit permits, or job placements.
• Reports from Gulf News and Khaleej Times show this data is exploited for unauthorized financial transactions, fraudulent bank accounts, loans, and credit cards.
• Victims face significant financial liability, legal trouble, and travel restrictions.

Official Biometric Rules

Official protocol mandates that biometric verification for UAE immigration or Emirates ID processes must only be conducted at official government facilities or authorized service counters. The Consulate explicitly clarified that neither the Consulate General of India in Dubai nor the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi requires fingerprint, face, or eye scans for the issuance of passports or Emergency Certificates. Such requests by private individuals or agents are identified as a severe red flag.

Targeted Workers and Spoofed Channels

Blue-collar workers facing urgent visa status, job loss, or passport issues are being specifically targeted by these scams, which often mimic legitimate immigration procedures. The Consulate also highlighted that scammers have previously spoofed official communication channels, such as the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) toll-free and WhatsApp numbers, to appear credible. The Consulate reiterated that official missions do not request payments or discuss financial matters via phone or WhatsApp. Citizens are advised against sharing passport copies, Emirates ID details, facial scans, fingerprints, iris scans, or banking credentials with unauthorized agents. Individuals who have already provided such data are encouraged to contact the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra immediately for verification and guidance.