The scam cases related to Schengen visas have been increasing significantly due to the limited number of appointment slots available for those wishing to travel to the European Union.
Scammers have been taking advantage of nationals of countries that need a Schengen visa in order to be permitted entry into the EU. They have been mainly targeting those who are willing to choose illegal ways to obtain such a document, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Data show that scamming cases have always been evident. However, they have especially increased this year since more people are choosing Europe as a travel destination now that restrictions have been lifted.
In most cases that have been reported, especially those in Morocco, scammers ask Schengen visa applicants to complete their payments by using a credit card. After applicants get convinced to do so, they receive an SMS code validating their payment and disclose it to the scammer.
The scammer then uses the first code and does one payment, and tells the applicant to make the payment again since a problem occurred while carrying out the process.
Schengen visa applicants are also oftentimes using the help of intermediaries to fill in visa applications instead of doing it themselves, this way, revealing their personal information, Les ECO says.
It has been reported that intermediaries usually take available appointments and then make those wishing to apply for a Schengen visa bid for the spot. The prices for these appointments are…
