Some Brazilian nationals who are waiting for a temporary residence visa in Portugal are being subject to scammers.
Scammers who fraudulently claim to be workers from VFS Global company- responsible for the requests- have addressed emails to some Brazilian visa applicants, falsely confirming that their applications have been approved, charging them a fee for delivering the passport, Schengen.News reports.
Up to this point, several Brazilians have received emails from these people who falsely claim to be working for the company.
I tried to contact you by phone (…) but unfortunately, all I got was voicemail. Therefore, I am forwarding your visa information here. Your passport is at the VFS office with your visa approved.
In addition, scammers promised express delivery of passports to Brazilian nationals for which they would charge R$215.9 (€35).
The text received by Brazilian visa applicants says that if they choose to ship within a period of 12 days, they will receive a tracking code. On the other hand, if they choose express delivery, they will receive an email with payment details.
If you choose to pay for express shipping, please let us know here so we can send you the payment details and modify the shipping cost on your visa application.
VFS Global Warns Visa Applicants to Remain Vigilant From Scammers
Following the last two days’ reports from several Brazilians waiting for visas to Portugal that they are being subject to scammers, the outsourcing company, VFS Global, has warned all visa applicants to remain vigilant against scammers.
VFS Global warns visa applicants to remain vigilant for fraudulent activity involving our name, as well as that of our client governments and channel partners, including courier service providers.
The company said that scammers, as well as entities, often pose as representatives of VFS Global, attempting to trick applicants into giving personal information or making payments.
They recalled the official channel for information calling for scams like this to be reported to the authorities.
Scammers Making False Appointments for Brazilians
Last month, some Brazilian citizens claimed to have fallen victim to scammers who offered them false appointments in order to regularise their stay in Portugal.
According to Portugal Giro media, the amounts claimed by Brazilians to have paid for these false appointments, in some cases, surpassed €200.
Such practice comes from the difficulties of securing an appointment with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), according to the report from Portugal Giro.
Some Brazilians said that they paid from €210 (R$1,200) to €270 (R$1,600) for a booking.
