High riskGovernment & Tax

Immigration Scam

This scam involves a caller or message posing as an immigration or border agency that threatens deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest over a supposed problem with your status. The aim is to frighten you into making an immediate payment or handing over passport and personal details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Government impersonation scam
Main red flag
A caller threatening deportation or visa cancellation unless you pay immediately or confirm passport details.
What to do first
Hang up and do not pay. Contact the immigration agency directly using a number from its official website.

What to know first

This scam involves a caller or message posing as an immigration or border agency that threatens deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest over a supposed problem with your status. The aim is to frighten you into making an immediate payment or handing over passport and personal details.

Government and tax scams impersonate tax authorities, police, or agencies, using threats of arrest, fines, or deportation to force fast payment, often via gift cards, transfers, or crypto. Real agencies do not demand instant payment this way or threaten arrest by phone.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A caller threatening deportation or visa cancellation unless you pay immediately or confirm passport details. Hang up and do not pay. Contact the immigration agency directly using a number from its official website.

Related tricks worth knowing: the IRS Tax Scam and the CRA Tax Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Government, Tax & Legal Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$2.7B
reported lost to imposter scams in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Gift cards
a top payment method scammers demand, which real agencies never use
Source: FTC Consumer Advice

Tell-tale red flags

  • A threat of deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest unless you act now
  • A demand for immediate payment to 'fix' your status
  • A request for your passport number, immigration file, or other personal details
  • Pressure to stay on the call and not contact anyone else
  • A caller ID or sender that looks official but cannot be verified

Staying safe

  • Stay calm, hang up, and avoid sending money or details
  • Contact the immigration or border agency using its official published number
  • If you have a lawyer or immigration adviser, speak with them before doing anything
  • Report the contact to the relevant agency and your national anti-fraud centre

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'This is Immigration Services. A serious problem has been found with your visa status. Unless you pay a processing fee today, deportation proceedings will begin and you may be arrested.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A caller threatening deportation or visa cancellation unless you pay immediately or confirm passport details.

Steps if you already acted

  • If you made a payment, contact your bank or the payment provider immediately
  • If you shared passport or personal details, monitor your accounts and watch for further contact
  • Keep records of the call, message, and any payment for your report
  • Report the incident to the immigration agency and your anti-fraud centre

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay any 'fee' by gift card, wire, e-transfer, or crypto
  • Do not share your passport number or immigration details over the phone
  • Do not let fear of deportation stop you from verifying through official channels

Scams like this one

High risk Government & Tax

IRS Tax Scam

This scam uses a call, voicemail, text, or email pretending to be the IRS or another tax agency, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest, lawsuit, or deportation unless you pay at once by gift card, wire, or crypto.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

CRA Tax Scam

This scam uses a call, text, or email posing as the Canada Revenue Agency to claim you owe tax or are due a refund, then threatens arrest or demands payment by e-transfer, gift card, or crypto. The goal is to frighten you into paying or handing over personal details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

Social Security Scam

This scam uses a call, robocall, or voicemail claiming your Social Security number has been 'suspended' over suspicious activity, then pressures you to confirm your number or pay to 'reactivate' it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Do immigration agencies threaten arrest and demand payment by phone?
Real agencies normally communicate through official letters or secure accounts and do not demand instant payment by gift card or wire, nor threaten on-the-spot arrest. These tactics are common in scams.
The caller had some of my information, so is it real?
Scammers can gather details from public or leaked sources to sound convincing. Having some of your information does not prove the call is genuine, so verify through official contact details.
What if I already paid or shared my passport details?
Act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider, monitor your accounts, and report it to the immigration agency and your national anti-fraud centre. Consider speaking with a qualified immigration adviser.
How can I report an immigration scam?
Report it to the relevant immigration or border agency through its official channels and to your national anti-fraud centre. You can also report the number or message to your provider.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.