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Immigration Fraud

Visa-Agent 'Document Collection + Disappearance' Scam

Unlicensed visa agents collect a client's passport, work-permit history, financial documents, and a substantial fee — then either stop responding or submit fraudulent applications that get the client blacklisted.

critical risk

Target: Long-term residents nearing visa expiry; retirees applying for retirement-visa renewals; newcomers applying for non-immigrant visas; DTV / LTR / Smart Visa applicants

Estimated losses: THB 5,000 – 200,000 plus passport replacement costs plus blacklisting risk • Prevalence: High — Immigration Bureau publishes warnings regularly

How It Works

Agent advertises on Facebook expat groups, Google Maps as a 'visa service', or via roadside signage in expat districts

Offers an attractive flat fee (THB 5,000–25,000) and 'no need to come to immigration yourself'

Collects passport, TM30, work permit, bank statements, financial certificates, lease documents, and full payment upfront

Variant 1 — straight disappearance: agent goes silent; phone disconnected; office shutters in 2–3 weeks; passport often pawned or destroyed

Variant 2 — fraudulent submission: agent submits forged employer letter, fake bank-balance certificate, or fake address registration; visa is approved but later flagged by Immigration on entry/exit, resulting in blacklisting

Variant 3 — bait-and-switch: agent demands a 'top-up' midway through the process for 'unexpected issues'; refuses to return passport without payment

Warning Signs

Agent has no Lawyers Council of Thailand registration and no verifiable DBD business registration

Office is a virtual address, residential apartment, or shared co-working space

Demands full payment + passport upfront in cash

Promises a flat fee with 'guaranteed' approval regardless of your circumstances

Communication is via personal Line / WhatsApp only, no company email or contract

Reviews are recent, generic, and posted in clusters

What To Do

✓ Use only law firms registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand; verify the registration number

✓ Never hand over your passport without a signed, dated receipt specifying the work and the return date

✓ Pay by traceable bank transfer to a company account — never cash, never personal PromptPay

✓ Keep certified copies of every document you submit

✓ If the agent goes silent: immediately report a lost/stolen passport to your embassy and to Immigration so it cannot be used; file a police report at the nearest station for the missing passport AND for fraud

✓ If a fraudulent application has already been submitted in your name: take qualified legal advice BEFORE next entry or exit — voluntary disclosure may avert blacklisting

How to Report

Immigration Bureau: 1178

Lawyers Council of Thailand: 02-629-1430

Tourist Police: 1155

ECD Anti-Online Scam Centre: 1441 (where the scam was contracted online)

Your embassy (for emergency travel documents if your passport is missing)

Professional Legal Assistance

When a matter involves investigation, arrest, detention, litigation, or regulatory action, professional legal representation becomes essential.

Anglo Siam Legal provides experienced legal services across Thailand for both Thai nationals and foreigners.

Speak to a Lawyer Contact Anglo Siam Legal

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