The governments of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have launched a coordinated international campaign to combat visa fraud and protect millions of hopeful migrants from criminal networks exploiting their desire to work, study or live abroad.
The initiative, announced during International Fraud Awareness Week, underscores rising concerns about sophisticated visa scams targeting vulnerable applicants.
A statement from the British High Commission in Abuja revealed that the #FightingVisaFraud campaign aims to educate applicants about the dangers of fake agents, illegal facilitators and false promises of guaranteed visas.
The three countries noted rising patterns of fraud across their immigration systems, with victims losing millions of pounds annually. Many fall into deeper exploitation, including trafficking risks, after paying huge sums to unlicensed agents.
British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery said the campaign reflects a renewed push to protect legitimate applicants and strengthen border integrity. He warned that offenders face severe consequences such as 10-year travel bans, refused applications and possible criminal prosecution. He stressed that visa fraud destroys hopes, harms families and exposes innocent people to danger.
Canadian High Commissioner Pasquale Salvaggio echoed the concern and stated that Canada is committed to working with partners to counter illegal immigration facilitation. He noted that the joint effort aims to preserve fairness while supporting those who apply through genuine, regulated channels.
The coordinated initiative advises applicants to rely strictly on official government portals for visa information and to confirm that immigration advisers are properly registered. It also warns against paying excessive fees, accepting offers to bypass requirements or believing promises of guaranteed jobs abroad without proper qualifications.
The campaign materials, including guides on spotting fraudulent offers, will be shared across the countries’ communication platforms. Applicants are urged to report suspicious activity and seek information only from verified government sources listed by each country.
The three governments affirmed that their immigration services will continue working with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals and networks behind visa fraud globally.
