Fraud committed by forcibly displaced and stateless persons

What is fraud?

Fraud is any action or failure to act that intentionally misleads someone to obtain a benefit, either for oneself or for someone else.

Forcibly displaced and stateless persons are at risk of being tricked by fraudsters, and some may commit fraud themselves.

Important notice: UNHCR services are always free!

  • Never pay for UNHCR registration, resettlement, or any other service.
  • If someone asks for money, favors, or any form of payment, report it to UNHCR immediately.
  • Any offer of UNHCR services in exchange for money is fraudulent.

Filing a complaint:

  • Reporting fraud will not affect your case.
  • Complaints can be made anonymously.
  • Provide all facts and evidence you have.
  • Your report will be handled confidentially.

For trusted information, always consult UNHCR directly.

If you suspect fraud, please report it immediately using the channels below:

  • If you suspect anyone working with or for UNHCR, including UNHCR personnel, our partner organizations, committed fraud please report it directly to the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office (IGO):
    • By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Learn more about misconduct >

“Mixed fraud” involving both UNHCR staff or partners and forcibly displaced persons must also be reported to the IGO.

  • If you suspect other people committed fraud, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, or other individuals receiving assistance or services from UNHCR,  please report them to UNHCR / the UNHCR office nearest to you. Visit the Help website for the country you are in.

Suspected fraud implicating forcibly displaced and stateless persons can include:

  • Exploitation scheme: Schemes where individuals falsely claim to have special ties to UNHCR or other entities, to exploit others for monetary, sexual, or other benefits.
  • Organized fraud: Fraud involving two or more individuals working together to commit fraud.
  • Fraudulent or fraudulently used UNHCR-issued (or joint UNHCR and Government-issued) identity documents: Creating or using fake identity documents, or using someone else’s identity documents as their own to misrepresent oneself.
  • Identity misappropriation: Using the identity of another individual or parts of it to register with UNHCR or obtain other benefit under that false identity.
  • Other suspicious activities that may indicate fraud and should also be reported to UNHCR.