Customers of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service have been contacted by a fraud.
Gardaí have warned the public about a phone scam currently in operation as of Thursday 4 April.
Some customers of Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) have been contacted by telephone by a person purporting to be from the service.
The caller tells the person that they are the subject of a deportation order from the authorities in their country of origin and that they face deportation that day.
They are told that INIS is acting on behalf of their own government to recoup an administration payment which will prevent their immediate deportation.
This payment is to be made to an account in their country of origin.
The caller I.D. number that displays is a real INIS number, directing people to the website address.
Gardaí note that the number appears to be legitimate but is an attempted fraud.
“INIS does not and will not contact applicants by telephone in relation to any such payments to accounts abroad,” they advise.
“INIS does not under any circumstances request payment for its services over the telephone.
“Furthermore, any persons facing deportation from the State will have been involved in a detailed process and would be notified in writing by registered post in advance of any planned deportation.”
Affected customers are asked to be vigilant and not give any details of their immigration application or status to callers unless sure that they are a legitimate representative.
If someone demands payment, customers are asked to contact INIS or their local Garda station immediately.
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