Fraud, corruption and exploitation
All UNHCR services are free!
On this page:
What is fraud?
Fraud is the fact of not telling or hiding the full truth to make someone else believe something in order to get something in return, for yourself or for somebody else. Fraud is also not telling the full truth about your identity or hiding the full truth.
What is corruption?
Corruption means giving, offering, receiving, or asking for something of value—directly or indirectly—in order to improperly influence someone’s actions. It happens when people in positions of power behave in a dishonest way for personal gain. Examples of corruption include accepting gifts, favours and money from asylum-seekers and refugees. It’s not just about receiving something. It also involves offering and asking for anything of value from other people and organizations.
What is exploitation?
An exploitation scheme is where persons, or groups of persons, falsely claim to have special ties or links to UNHCR or its partners, including resettlement countries, and promise a benefit such as registration, UNHCR documentation, refugee status determination, resettlement to a third country and/or any other UNHCR process, in exchange for something valuable, usually money or favours. Many refugees have been cheated of large sums of money through such schemes.
Exploitation schemes can take place in person by individuals pretending to be UNHCR or partner staff, or online through social media (e.g. on Facebook where someone promises to register individuals in a certain location and provide UNHCR documents for a fee, or through WhatsApp messages with photos or audio clips impersonating UNHCR/ partner staff, asking individuals to pay for UNHCR processes.
Examples of exploitation schemes include persons claiming to be linked to UNHCR or resettlement countries and asking for money to assist in the processing of someone’s case.
How can I avoid becoming a victim of fraud and/or corruption?
Beware of fraudsters who may offer you registration, documentation, refugee status, resettlement, financial or other kinds of assistance, fraudulent UNHCR documents and fake claims in exchange for money or other favours. These offers may be made to you in person or via social media, including TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, Instagram, YouTube, or others. They may show you information to persuade you that they are connected to UNHCR. Do not believe them.
People who make such false promises are taking advantage of your situation. They may steal your money or profit from selling your personal information.
Any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent. If money or any other form of favour, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you, you should report it immediately to UNHCR, and to the nearest police station immediately.
Fraud is a crime under Malaysian law. You can approach the nearest police station and report fraud. Take all the evidence that may be available to you while reporting the fraud incident.
Reporting fraud incidents will not delay or negatively impact your UNHCR case.
Please remember that all UNHCR services are FREE. You cannot pay to receive any service, or faster service, from UNHCR.
However, as indicated in the Legal Protection section, some legal aid providers may ask you to pay a small fee (please see relevant section for updated fees).
Similarly, if you subscribe to the Refugee Medical Insurance (REMEDI), you will be expected to pay the annual premium indicated in the Health section.
Some informal learning centers may also charge fees, while others may not. For more information please refer to the Education section.
For more information about exploitative scams among refugee community in Malaysia, please stay updated through Notices.
What are examples of fraud?
Identity fraud is where a person uses someone else’s personal information to register with UNHCR, or a person lies about their name or other identifying information This might include someone using another person’s UNHCR document to access services or processes intended for that person.
Family composition fraud involves lying about the actual composition of a family or the relationships within a family to gain undue benefits. This can involve adding or removing individuals from a case based on false family relationship claims. For instance, friends might falsely claim to be brothers to add someone to a case, or a person might add a nephew as their own child in their case.
Document fraud involves presenting false or manipulated documents as genuine. This could include fabricating whole documents, altering legitimate documents, or using falsified UNHCR documentation, or medical documents.
An exploitation scheme is where persons, or groups of persons, falsely claim to have special ties or links to UNHCR or its partners, including resettlement countries, and promise a benefit such as registration, UNHCR documentation, refugee status determination, resettlement to a third country and/or any other UNHCR process, in exchange for something valuable, usually money or favours.
Exploitation schemes can take place in person by individuals pretending to be UNHCR or partner staff, or online / through social media (e.g. on Facebook where someone promises to register individuals in a certain location and provide UNHCR documents for a fee, or through WhatsApp messages with photos or audio clips impersonating UNHCR/ partner staff, asking individuals to pay for UNHCR processes.
Anti-fraud videos
Watch the 5 UNHCR-produced videos listed below to learn more about the 5 common exploitative schemes against the refugee community in Malaysia.
Beware of scammers sending voice notes via mobile apps claiming to have links to UNHCR and being able to assist in registration and resettlement processes for a fee.
Beware of people chatting with you via mobile apps claiming to have links to UNHCR, seeking personal information from individuals in order to assist in registration and resettlement processes for a fee.
Beware of fraudulent UNHCR websites/apps seeking personal information from individuals in order to assist in registration and resettlement processes for a fee.
Beware of community leaders claiming to have special ties with UNHCR and being able to assist in registration and resettlement processes for a fee.
Beware of individuals impersonating UNHCR staff, offering registration and resettlement processes for a fee.
Reporting fraud and corruption
How can I report fraud, corruption or exploitation?
UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy for all types of fraud and corruption, and takes fraud committed by anyone, even its own staff and partners, very seriously.
If you have information about fraud and corruption committed by UNHCR staff and/or UNHCR Partner Agencies, please report it to UNHCR’s Inspector General’s Office (IGO) based in Geneva, Switzerland, for an independent investigation. This can be done via the IGO’s Online Complaint Form.
The IGO will keep all reports strictly confidential.
To make a confidential report on fraud and corruption committed by an asylum-seeker or refugee, please send an email at the below mentioned address or submit a form here.
Email Anti-Fraud Focal Points: [email protected]
The Fraud Team at UNHCR Malaysia carries out investigations on refugees involved in fraud and corruption.
Anti-Fraud Focal Points monitors and reports on fraudulent activities and trends. Anti-Fraud Focal Points also conduct training on fraud awareness for asylum-seekers and refugees, UNHCR partner agencies and staff.
Latest announcements related to fraud, corruption and exploitation
Beware of fake UNHCR hotlines
April 28, 2026
UNHCR has seen fake UNHCR hotline numbers being shared on social media. UNHCR has two official hotlines: All other numbers being shared as UNHCR hotlines for Registration or Resettlement are fake. Ple…. →
An important reminder to refugee communities in Malaysia
April 2, 2026
UNHCR would like to remind all community members of the following important points: If you encounter anyone requesting money or making false claims of influence, please report it to UNHCR. …. →
Beware of scams: a man going by names of Osman, Michael or Bo Bo Selai impersonating UNHCR
March 27, 2026
UNHCR has received reports that a man who goes by Osman or Bo Bo Selai, who claims to work for the Resettlement and Registration Unit at UNHCR, continues to request money for …. →