The French Embassy in Islamabad issued an urgent advisory on 19 February 2026 after fraudsters posing as consular staff were found selling fake ‘priority’ appointments to Schengen-visa hopefuls. Victims reportedly paid hundreds of euros via unofficial channels and handed over personal documents that could be used for identity theft.
In its statement, the embassy stresses that all visa fees are collected only through authorised partner VFS Global or directly at consulates, never through intermediaries on WhatsApp or Facebook. Applicants are urged to report approaches that request payment by bank transfer or mobile wallet.
![French Embassy in Pakistan warns of visa-application scams]()
If you need a secure, transparent way to arrange a legitimate French visa appointment, VisaHQ can manage the entire process online—verifying document checklists, scheduling at official centers, and tracking your application status in real time. Explore the France visa page at https://www.visahq.com/france/ to see how the service can shield you from scams and streamline travel planning.
For French companies relocating Pakistani employees or bringing technicians to headquarters, the alert is a reminder to centralise visa handling and audit any third-party agencies. Data-privacy experts note that leaked passports and employment letters can compromise corporate security. The embassy has published hot-line numbers for verification, and Pakistani authorities have opened an investigation under cyber-crime laws.
The scam mirrors similar incidents in Nigeria and Senegal last year and highlights the secondary-market pressure created by tight appointment availability. HR teams should circulate the official booking links and caution staff against social-media offers.
In its statement, the embassy stresses that all visa fees are collected only through authorised partner VFS Global or directly at consulates, never through intermediaries on WhatsApp or Facebook. Applicants are urged to report approaches that request payment by bank transfer or mobile wallet.
If you need a secure, transparent way to arrange a legitimate French visa appointment, VisaHQ can manage the entire process online—verifying document checklists, scheduling at official centers, and tracking your application status in real time. Explore the France visa page at https://www.visahq.com/france/ to see how the service can shield you from scams and streamline travel planning.
For French companies relocating Pakistani employees or bringing technicians to headquarters, the alert is a reminder to centralise visa handling and audit any third-party agencies. Data-privacy experts note that leaked passports and employment letters can compromise corporate security. The embassy has published hot-line numbers for verification, and Pakistani authorities have opened an investigation under cyber-crime laws.
The scam mirrors similar incidents in Nigeria and Senegal last year and highlights the secondary-market pressure created by tight appointment availability. HR teams should circulate the official booking links and caution staff against social-media offers.
