(Last Updated On: September 5, 2020)

RSN™ Guide: How To Spot Fake ScammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer. Passports

Scammers Use Fake Documents All The Time

Updated October 2018

Scammers create fake documents to support their fake identities! Ironically with just a little common sense they are easy to spot!

However, spotting fake documents is not hard – all you need to do is look with a skeptical eye.

Here are the key things to look for:

Fake Photos

Look at the race – such as a Caucasian or Asian in an African country – that sounds racist, but it is simply prudent
Look for the typical stolen photos – famous usual suspects eith men or women

Phony Watermarks Or Holograms

Look for signs of altering of the image
We all know that passports are complex documents that have laser and other anti-fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim. marks – these don’t photograph well, but are seamless.
Look for hologram marks that are broken or are clearly a very visible design
Look at the machine type face/font down in the bottom for any irregularities
Look to see if the passport name is a different font than the rest of the machine text in these rows
Is it consistent with real passports – do a Google search for the type of passport and compare

Text On The Passport

Look for inconsistent contrast in the text in the document
Very dark and sharp focus compared to other text that is fainter and out of focus

Inconsistent Passport Numbers

Look for differences in the passport number – it will appear in several places and should all be the same

Inconsistent Signature

Look if the signature is the s

ame name as that that appears in the fake passport

InfographicInfographic Infographics (a shortened word of "information" and "graphics") are graphic visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. They can improve your understanding of a topic by utilizing graphics. Infographics have evolved in recent years to be more useful for mass communications and thus are designed with fewer assumptions about the readers' knowledge base than other types of visualizations.: Spotting A Fake Passport

Look at the following as a guide:

Guide-to-spotting-a-fake-passport

Gallery Of Fake Documents

How can you know for sure?

There a couple of simple ways to know for sure:

Do a Google Search for real passport examples and compare.
Contact your local embassy for the country that supposedly issues the passport so they can tell you if it is fake or not. Most embassies have an email address where you can send a copy of the passport or document image that you received – they should be happy to confirm that it is valid or false – this also serves to notify that country that someone is creating fake documents.

RSN^™ Team
a division of SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.^™
Miami Florida U.S.A.

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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?

It is essential that law enforcement knows about scamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime - is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.

Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:

Local PoliceLocal Police The Local Police is your first responder in most countries. In most English-speaking countries and in Europe report to them first. In other countries look for your national cybercrime police units to report scams to. In the U.S., Canada, & Australia, you must report to the local police first. – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
Your National Police or FBIFBI FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes, including financial fraud. (www.IC3.gov)
The Scars Worldwide Reporting Network HERE or on www.Anyscam.com

This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.

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Visit our NEW Main SCARS™ News & Information Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information

To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org

Please be sure to report all scammers HERE or on www.Anyscam.com

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