The Australian High Commission in Bangladesh has announced its participation in a global initiative to raise awareness about visa scams and fraudulent migration practices as part of International Fraud Awareness Week, running from 16–22 November 2025.
Visa fraud has become a growing international concern, with criminal networks deceiving individuals through fake visa guarantees, falsified documents and impersonation of legitimate migration agents. These scams can lead to severe financial loss, emotional distress and long-term impacts on a person’s ability to travel.
At the Five Country Ministerial (FCM) meeting held in September 2025, ministers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting the integrity of migration systems and defending vulnerable migrants from exploitation.
This year’s campaign includes a coordinated, country-wide initiative known as Fighting Visa Fraud, which focuses on protecting migrants and strengthening global border integrity. Although the United States is not participating in the campaign this year, it has expressed support for the effort.
International Fraud Awareness Week aims to empower governments, businesses and community organisations to collaborate on reducing the impact of fraud through education and awareness. Participating countries will promote aligned messages designed to:
- Reduce false information about migration services spread by fraudulent facilitators
- Educate the public about the risks and financial consequences of visa fraud
- Encourage safer, more informed decision-making when engaging with migration services.
- The campaign will continue into 2026, with updated messages during peak visa periods to better address local challenges and encourage behavioural change.
The Australian High Commission urged visa applicants to remain vigilant, warning that scam agents often impersonate genuine institutions and misuse online information to appear legitimate. Officials stressed that the Australian Government never requests payments through social media or unofficial channels.
Acting Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Clinton Pobke, emphasised the importance of informed decision-making:
“Scammers exploit those with a genuine interest in studying or travelling to Australia. With a new Home Affairs Office opening in Dhaka, we are working to help protect visa applicants from losing their savings and safeguard the integrity of Australia’s migration system.”
He added that applicants should always rely on trusted, official sources and avoid anyone promising shortcuts or guaranteed visa results.
The High Commission encouraged the public to learn more about recognizing and reporting visa scams by visiting the official Australian Government website at homeaffairs.gov.au/visa-scams.