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DHAKA, Nov 20, 2025 (BSS) – Australia has joined its global partners to mark International Fraud Awareness Week by launching a coordinated campaign to combat visa scams, highlighting growing concerns over fraudulent migration practices targeting visa applicants worldwide.

The Australian High Commission in Dhaka said it is working with international counterparts throughout the 16–22 November observance to raise awareness about false visa guarantees, fake documents and illegal migration agents — scams that often cause financial loss, emotional distress and long-term travel restrictions.

It said Ministers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States reaffirmed their shared commitment to protect migration and border systems at the 2025 Five Country Ministerial (FCM) in September.

As part of that commitment, a four-country initiative titled ‘Fighting Visa Fraud’ is being launched this week to protect migrants and strengthen border integrity. While the United States is not taking part in this year’s launch, it remains supportive of the effort.

The campaign reflects FCM partners’ joint resolve to counter visa fraud and raise public awareness. International Fraud Awareness Week encourages governments, businesses and community organisations to work collectively to reduce the impact of fraud through education and preventive messaging.

According to the High Commission, aligned campaign messages will educate visa applicants about tactics used by fraudulent facilitators, reduce the global scale of visa fraud, and promote safe practices when engaging with migration services.

The campaign will continue into 2026, with targeted messaging during peak visa application periods to address local challenges and encourage behavioral change.

The High Commission warned that scam agents frequently operate within communities posing as legitimate professionals, and urged the public to spread awareness about the risks.

Visa applicants have been advised to visit homeaffairs.gov.au/visascams to learn how to identify and report visa scams, noting that the Australian government never seeks payments via social media or unofficial platforms.

Quoting Acting Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Clinton Pobke, the High Commission said: “Visa scams exploit those with a genuine interest who want to travel or study in Australia. There is a lot of false visa information online and in social media, including fake news stories.”

“With a new Home Affairs Office presence in Dhaka, we are working to help protect visa applicants from losing their savings and safeguard the integrity of Australia’s migration system,” the High Commissioner said.  
Pobke added: “Australia is proud to stand with our international partners to combat visa fraud. The Fighting Visa Fraud campaign sends a clear message — if you are applying for a visa, always use trusted, official sources and beware of anyone promising shortcuts or guaranteed results.”