Passport Confiscation Racket — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 29, 2026

Severity: CRITICAL | View Full Scam Details

Passport Confiscation Racket in India 2026: A Critical Job and Government Impersonation Scam

The passport confiscation racket is a rising cybercrime threat in India that tricks job seekers by impersonating government officials and demanding money to release supposedly “confiscated” passports.

What Is the Passport Confiscation Racket?

The passport confiscation racket is an elaborate scam targeting Indian job seekers, especially those seeking overseas employment. Fraudsters impersonate government agencies or recruitment firms, claiming that the victim’s passport has been seized due to irregularities or legal issues. The swindlers then demand “fines” or “clearance fees” to release the passport, often instructing victims to transfer money via UPI or bank transfer.

This scam exploits the genuine anxiety around job placement and immigration processes, often targeting migrants from smaller towns unfamiliar with official procedures. The fraud is reportedly spreading across various states, with victims sharing grievances in social media groups and consumer complaint forums. Law enforcement agencies including India’s I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) have flagged such impostor scams under the government impersonation category.

While no specific RBI or CERT-In advisory pinpoints passport confiscation scams alone, their general alerts on UPI frauds, phishing, and government impersonation scams remain highly relevant. The 1930 cybercrime helpline has seen increasing complaints aligned with this racket in early 2026.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: The victim receives a WhatsApp message or call from a number claiming to be from the Ministry of External Affairs, a reputed recruitment agency, or a government immigration officer. The caller usually speaks in Hindi or regional languages to gain trust.

2. False Alert: The caller alleges the victim’s passport was confiscated at an airport or during verification, citing “legal violations” or “pending documentation.” They stress urgency, warning the victim they must pay quickly to avoid blacklisting.

3. Demand for Payment: The victim is instructed to pay a “penalty” or “release fee” via UPI to an ID like us**@bank or through NEFT to an Indian bank account. Sometimes, they are told to buy prepaid cards or share Aadhaar and PAN details “for verification.”

4. Continuous Pressure: The scammer keeps calling to extract more payments, inventing new reasons like “customs clearance charges” or “extension fees.” They also ask the victim not to discuss this “official matter” with family or friends.

5. Loss and Exposure: After sending money, the victim receives no passport or clearance. Some victims report subsequent SIM swap attempts and fraudulent loans tied to the shared Aadhaar and banking info.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Calls or messages demanding urgent payment to “release seized passport” with threats of blacklisting.
• Requests for money via UPI, prepaid cards, or bank transfers without official receipts or government communication.
• Insistence on secrecy and refraining from consulting family or official government websites.
• Callers asking for sensitive personal information like Aadhaar, PAN, or OTPs.
• Use of unofficial WhatsApp numbers or mobile numbers instead of government helpline numbers.
• Emotional manipulation with repeated calls and false deadlines.
• Lack of any official document, email, or SMS from real government authorities confirming passport status.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often lose thousands to lakhs of INR in these scams, draining their savings meant for actual migration costs. Since UPI transactions are mostly instant and irreversible, victims usually cannot recover the stolen amounts, even through bank grievances.

Sharing Aadhaar and PAN details puts victims at risk of identity theft, unauthorized loans, or SIM swapping, especially if the scammer obtains OTPs. Emotional consequences include stress, shame, and a loss of trust in legitimate immigration processes. For many lower-income or first-time overseas job aspirants, this causes severe financial hardship and delays in their career plans.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repeatedly cautioned users to verify payment requests and avoid sharing confidential details through calls or messages. RBI’s guidelines emphasize using official app channels and helplines, warning about UPI-based frauds.

CERT-In advises users to be vigilant against phishing attempts impersonating government agencies and has urged the public to report incidents through its 1930 cybercrime helpline. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) also encourages timely reporting and awareness against job-related frauds involving government impersonation.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always verify passport or visa-related communications through official government websites or recognized embassy portals.
2. Never share OTPs, Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details with unknown callers, even if they claim to be government officials.
3. Avoid making payments via UPI or other means based solely on callers’ demands without official documentation.
4. Use the Ministry of External Affairs official helpline or passport office channels to confirm any suspicious alerts.
5. Inform family members or trusted advisors if you receive alarming calls for a passport issue.
6. Be cautious of last-minute job offers asking for passport clearance fees or document submissions via WhatsApp.
7. Regularly monitor your bank and UPI transactions; alert your bank immediately if suspicious transfers appear.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately report the fraud to your bank to block and freeze any linked accounts or UPI IDs.
• File a complaint with local police or file a cybercrime complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in.
• Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline for guidance on reporting and next steps.
• Inform UIDAI to temporarily lock your Aadhaar and alert telecom providers if SIM-related fraud is suspected.
• Keep all communication records, screenshots, and payment receipts as evidence.
• Alert others in your community or social circles to prevent more victims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the government really confiscate my passport without notice?
A: No official government authority confiscates passports without formal notice and documentation. If you face such claims via calls or WhatsApp, treat them as suspect and verify through official channels.

Q: What should I do if someone calls demanding penalty or clearance fees?
A: Do not pay or share sensitive information. Hang up and directly contact the official passport office or Ministry of External Affairs helpline to confirm your passport status.

Q: Is it possible to get my money back after paying these scammers?
A: UPI and bank payments are generally irreversible. Report immediately to your bank and file cybercrime complaints, but recovery is difficult. Prevention and prompt reporting remain the key safeguards.

For verifying suspicious messages or calls regarding passports or job offers, visit BharatSecure.app. If you suspect fraud, report it promptly via the 1930 cybercrime helpline to help protect yourself and others.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.