EU Office
The European Union (EU) office has issued a “scam alert” to caution Pakistani citizens about fraudulent activities orchestrated by criminal organizations.
These groups are reportedly spreading false information about visas and consular appointments using fake embassy entries and telephone numbers on platforms like Google Maps.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan revealed that these scams involve fake listings for EU member states’ embassies, containing misleading information and counterfeit contact numbers.
“This is a serious scam by criminal organizations,” the office warned, urging individuals to rely only on authentic sources for visa and consular-related information.
The EU office emphasized that official websites of EU member states’ embassies are the sole reliable sources for accurate information. It advised the public not to trust unauthorized listings on Google Maps or other directories.
The statement also clarified that the EU Delegation itself does not handle passport or visa issuance. Instead, these responsibilities lie with the embassies or consulates of the respective member states.
The EU official website further explains that the border-free Schengen Area offers free movement for over 400 million EU citizens and eligible non-EU nationals, including businesspeople, tourists, and others legally residing within the EU.
However, Pakistani citizens require a Schengen visa to travel within the Schengen zone and a National visa for EU member states outside the zone.
Currently, the Schengen Area includes most EU countries, excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania. However, Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of joining.
Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are already part of the Schengen Area, while Liechtenstein is expected to join soon. The Schengen visa allows travelers to enter one participating country and move freely across others within the zone.
The EU office strongly recommended Pakistani citizens contact the relevant embassy or consulate of their intended European destination for accurate information and to obtain the necessary visa. This measure aims to protect individuals from falling prey to scams and ensure secure travel arrangements.
