All humanitarian assistance is provided free of charge.
Paying for assistance will not make you eligible for assistance.
Be aware that any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent.
What is Fraud?
Fraud is any act where someone tricks and misleads somebody else to obtain an undeserved personal benefit, such as money.
Who are Fraudsters?
- Fraudsters are people who deceive other individuals, mostly for money.
- Fraudsters may attempt to deceive you claiming they can help you in receiving UNHCR services and assistance including for resettlement, fake documentation, or claims, financial or other kinds of assistance, in exchange for money or other favour.
- They can attempt to defraud you through websites, emails, phone calls, in-person approaches or via social media including Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. They may pretend to be working for or have linkages with UNHCR.
- To persuade and deceive you, they may show you fake information such as forged UNHCR ID cards or documents. Do not believe them!
- People who tell you such lies are seeking advantage of your situation. Avoid them at all costs. Be alert and do not get defrauded.
- If in doubt, always check with UNHCR official sources.
- We are here to respond to your queries and assist you! Remember, UNHCR services are free of charge!
What is corruption? ⬇
Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting (directly or indirectly) anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party.
What is misconduct? ⬇
Misconduct is considered any failure by a UNHCR staff member, partner and/or service provider including community structures and outreach volunteers to abide by established staff rules and regulations and the UNHCR Code of Conduct.
Misconduct includes fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Some examples of misconduct by UNHCR or partner staff include:
- asking for money or favors in exchange for any services or assistance (such as financial assistance, health support).
- asking for money or favors in exchange for benefits with a UNHCR process such as Cash assistance, Registration, Refugee Status Determination, or Resettlement for you to receive a benefit.
- committing any kind of sexual abuse or exploitation against an asylum-seeker or refugee.
- physically hurting or threatening another person; or
- Sharing personal information without your consent with an external person or organization.
Are UNHCR Services Free? ⬇
All UNHCR services, including for resettlement, assistance and other services are totally free of charge. This includes access to our offices, interviews, and all assistance services provided by UNHCR.
- Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners.
- If anyone asks you for ANY money or favors, including of a sexual nature, by claiming they represent UNHCR or its partners, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM.
For valid information about UNHCR Iraq’s work and services, please consult UNHCR’s Help page.
Can a refugee commit Fraud? ⬇
You would be suspected of committing fraud for UNHCR if you:
– Give false information to UNHCR about any aspect of your background, identity (i.e. name, place of birth, country of origin, nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc.) and refugee claim (why/how you have left your country or origin);
– Claim a false identity for yourself or for someone else
– Provide false information about your family relationship to someone.
– Charge money from refugees or offer money to UNHCR/partner staff for any resettlement and protection services or assistance by UNHCR.
A refugee who attempts to commit fraud relating to his/her resettlement case may be permanently disqualified from the resettlement process.
Remember that fraud is illegal in Iraq and those who are found to commit fraud may be subjected to prosecution.
What are the consequences if I commit fraud? ⬇
Knowingly telling UNHCR incorrect information or failing to correct incorrect information once you learn that it is false, may be considered fraud. You have a duty to provide truthful and complete information and to report any change in your situation.
If you fail to provide truthful information, including by misrepresenting or concealing facts, in order to mislead UNHCR or its partners, then you may potentially face the following serious consequences:
• Ineligibility for protection, assistance, benefits, or services, including financial assistance and resettlement.
• Disqualification from an ongoing resettlement case.
• Recording of any fraud allegations on your file.
• Significant delays in your case which will be put on hold for the time of the investigation of the fraud allegation.
• Disclosure of the alleged or confirmed fraud to resettlement countries.
• Referral of suspected involvement in criminal activities to the competent national authorities.
What can I do to make sure that I do not become a victim of fraud? ⬇
• Remember that all services and assistance provided by UNHCR, and its partners are always free of charge.
• Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay money.
• You cannot pay to receive quicker services from UNHCR or its partners.
• If money or any other form of favor, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you in exchange for UNHCR services, do not believe them and report it to UNHCR immediately.
• Do not share your personal data and documentation, including passport, national identity documents, or other documents you receive from UNHCR with anyone except UNHCR and its partners.
How do fraudsters operate? ⬇
• Fraudsters may promise to offer you access (or quicker access) to registration, RSD, resettlement, financial or other kinds of assistance, UNHCR documents or fake claims in exchange for money or other favors, including of a sexual nature.
• If any money or other favor is asked, this is fraud! These offers may be made to you in person, by phone or via social media, fraudulent links, including on Facebook, YouTube, or WhatsApp.
• Sometimes fraudsters impersonate and pretend to represent UNHCR to gain your trust. They may show you information to persuade you that they are connected to UNHCR.
• People who tell you such lies are seeking to take advantage of your situation. Avoid them and do not believe them. They are only after your money. Be alert and do not get cheated.
Always remember that all services and assistance provided by UNHCR, and its partners are free of charge! If any money or other favour is asked, this is fraud!
What if UNHCR or its Partner staff Commits Fraud or Corruption? How do I complain? ⬇
If you have information about UNHCR staff, or staff of UNHCR partners or contractors, being involved in fraud, corruption, exploitation and abuse (including of a sexual nature), report it immediately and directly to:
UNHCR’s Inspector-General’s Office (IGO) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Email: [email protected]
• Online complaint form: https://www.unhcr.org/igo-complaints.html
• Confidential fax: +41 22 739 7380
• Mail: UNHCR, 94 Rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Provide all facts and evidence available to you.
Remember that all communication with the UNHCR’s IGO is kept confidential. You may remain anonymous, and not reveal your personal information in your complaint. UNHCR takes seriously all complaints and follows up on each individually.
Remember all communication with UNHCR is kept confidential!
How does the IGO deal with my complaint once I submit it? ⬇
UNHCR takes all complaints seriously and follows up on each individually.
Please note that all communication with UNHCR is kept confidential. Filing a complaint will not have an impact on your case with UNHCR.
In your complaint, please provide all the facts and evidence known to you. If you provide your contact details, we will be able to follow up with you on your complaint.
Complaints may also be made anonymously.
Should I report Fraud and Fraudsters? ⬇
Yes! You should report fraudulent acts and/or fraudsters to the nearest police station or to UNHCR immediately. Please immediately report fraudsters who may ask you money in exchange for falsely offering UNHCR-related services and assistance. Please provide all facts and evidence known to you.
To reach UNHCR in Iraq:
- Email UNHCR à [email protected] Please note that this is a dedicated email to receive reports of fraud and misconduct and will not respond to any other correspondence. You may use our complaint and feedback mechanism for other issues.
- Use a Complaint Box à Complaints Boxes are available at the gate of all UNHCR Community Service Centers across the country.
- Write a letter à In a sealed envelope deliver to UNHCR by hand or mail at: Community Support Centers
- Anonymous Reporting: If you wish to remain anonymous, please submit written complaint in Safely manner through UNHCR’s complaint in the Complaint and Feedback Box at one of our Community Support Centers.
Remember all communication with UNHCR is kept confidential!
What if UNHCR or its Partner staff Commits Fraud or Corruption? How do I complain? ⬇
If you have information about UNHCR staff, or staff of UNHCR partners or contractors, being involved in fraud, corruption, exploitation and abuse (including of a sexual nature), report it immediately and directly to:
UNHCR’s Inspector-General’s Office (IGO) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Email:[email protected]
- Online complaint form:https://www.unhcr.org/igo-complaints.html
- Confidential fax:+41 22 739 7380
- Mail:UNHCR, 94 Rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Provide all facts and evidence available to you.
Remember that all communication with the UNHCR’s IGO is kept confidential. You may remain anonymous, and not reveal your personal information in your complaint.
UNHCR takes seriously all complaints and follows up on each individually.
Remember all communication with UNHCR is kept confidential!
Where can I find more information about UNHCR? ⬇
Be aware of impostor calls targeting refugees and asylum seekers. Calls to schedule registration and resettlement interviews with you will be made on 0774 440 4440 or 0751 140 4440. You cannot call this number. DO NOT PAY! All services provided by UNHCR, and Partners are free of charge!