PEOPLE are being urged to beware after reports that victims have been targeted by people claiming to be from the Home Office and threatening deportation.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has been alerted to an Advanced Fee Scam whereby people, usually of Asian descent, are targeted by the suspects who cold call the victim, saying they from the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration department.
The potential victims are then told that a case has been received by the department against them, sometimes with a request to deport.
A request is then made for money to be paid mainly by Ukash vouchers or MoneyGram. Occasionally, money is requested to be paid into a bank account. Also on occasion, victims have been asked to provide bank account details.
A genuine contact number for the Home Office is provided to give the call a form of legitimacy.
The UK Visa and Immigration department would not make any request for payments in this form.
To protect yourself never respond to any similar communication and never give out bank details.
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.
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