“We’ll lift your entry ban in one day,” “We guarantee a 100% solution,” “We have contacts at the Ministry of Internal Affairs” — advertisements like these can often be found online and in messaging apps.
They may be posted by scammers posing as lawyers or even migration officials. Foreign citizens are often offered paid services to remove an entry ban or quickly resolve issues with their migration status.
What Promises Should Raise Red Flags?
Be cautious if someone tells you:
- “We guarantee that your entry ban will be lifted”;
- “We’ll solve the problem in one day”;
- “We work directly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs”;
- “We can speed things up through our connections.”
Decisions to impose or lift an entry ban can only be made by authorized government authorities. A lawyer can help prepare documents, submit an appeal, or challenge a decision, but they cannot guarantee the outcome.
How Else Can You Spot a Scammer?
Pay attention to how the service is offered.
Be cautious if you are pressured to pay immediately, asked to transfer money in advance without a contract, or refused information about the specialist or organization providing the service.
Another reason to double-check everything is if the “lawyer” communicates exclusively through a messaging app and does not offer the option of visiting an office or meeting in person.
How Can You Verify a Lawyer?
If a specialist claims to be an attorney, check their details in the Unified State Register of Attorneys of the Russian Ministry of Justice.
Do not transfer money simply because someone shows you a photo of an ID card, messages allegedly exchanged with an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or positive reviews. Such materials can be forged.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information?
For migration-related matters, it is best to use official channels: the website of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, local MIA offices, or the Gosuslugi portal.
If you have already transferred money and suspect fraud, save all messages, receipts, and other proof of payment and contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You can also report a suspicious account or advertisement to the website or messaging platform where it appeared.
