
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

Spotting Fake Passports
A Guide to Spotting Typical Fake Passports Used By Scammers as Proof of Identity
How Scams Work – A SCARS Institute Guide
Authors:
• SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from other sources
Originally Published: 2010 – Article Updated: 2024
Fake Passport Disclaimer
This guide will help spot 90% of fake passports provided as photos or images. However, the graphic design skills of scammers, fraudsters, and cybercriminals have been increasing substantially, and there are even nation-states creating fake passports now too. Because of AI and such tools it is increasingly hard to spot the best fake passports.
First Principal
It is almost universally illegal to photograph and duplicate an official passport. Therefore if someone you know online sends a passport photo as proof of identity, it is 99% assured to be a fake automatically. When there is ANY doubt, assume it is a fake and act accordingly.

How To Spot Fake U.S. Passports
Scammers have always made up fake passports, fake identification, and fake documents, but with a careful eye, you can always spot them for what they are!
The First Rule of Fake Passports
If someone sends you a photo of their passport it is 99% sure it is a fake passport and the person is a scammer. It is unlawful to duplicate a passport with most issuing countries. There are exceptions where it is necessary to prove an identity, but certainly not with someone you only met online! If they send you a photo it is a fake passport!
Note: The New 2021 Passport Design
The United States started issuing a next-generation U.S. passport book in 2021. The book has new features, such as a polycarbonate data page, laser engraving, and updated artwork. This is an image that illustrates the features of a next-generation U.S. passport. Look at the issue date of any passport you are shown, if it was issued in 2021 or later and does not match the latest design then by definition it is a fake. Learn more here.
Here is How a Real U.S. Passport Should Look – Pre-2021 Design:
Notice the following things:
- The photo has a portion that is transparent
- The USA logo/icon overlaps the photo and can see the photo background under it
- Note that the photo in this case would not be legal because it has to show an ear
- All the typed text is the same font and same size and aligns
- Typed text is a compressed sanserif font – black in color
- The signature name matches the typed name
- Everything in the passport is the same sharpness
Here is How a Real U.S. Passport Should Look – 2021 and After Design:
How to Identify Fake Passports – Pre-2021 Design
– –
Here’s a comprehensive guide for recognizing an authentic United States passport and identifying red flags that might indicate a fake one. U.S. passports have many security features that make them challenging to counterfeit, so knowing what to look for can help verify their authenticity.
Examine the Passport Cover (IF VISIBLE)
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Seal: The front cover of a U.S. passport has the Great Seal of the United States stamped in gold.
- Color: Standard U.S. passports for regular citizens are navy blue. Diplomatic and official passports are black and maroon, respectively.
- Texture: The cover should feel sturdy, durable, and high-quality.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- Incorrect color or lower-quality material.
- Poorly printed or blurry seal and lettering.
Inspect the Bio-data Page (Inside Front Page)
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Holographic Overlay: The bio-data page contains a holographic image that should shift or change when tilted under light. Look for images of the American eagle and other symbols within the hologram.
- Microprinting: Genuine passports have tiny text that’s difficult to replicate. You can find microprinted words like “USA” or “United States of America” along the edges of the bio-data page and under the photo.
- Fine Line Printing: The background of the bio-data page is printed with fine lines in complex patterns to prevent copying. The lines should be clear and crisp, not smudged or pixelated.
- Laser-perforated Serial Number: The passport number should be laser-perforated through multiple pages. The numbers are perfectly aligned and visible on each page.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- Blurry or uneven holographic effects.
- Absence of microprinting or fine line detailing, or if these details appear smudged or pixelated.
- Misaligned or missing perforated passport number.
Photo Quality and Security Features
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Embedded Photo: The holder’s photo on the bio-data page is digitally printed into the page rather than glued or laminated. The photo should appear seamless with the page.
- Ghost Image: There is often a smaller “ghost” image of the passport holder’s photo on the bio-data page. This secondary image is another layer of security.
- Optically Variable Ink: Some of the text on the bio-data page, such as “United States of America,” might be printed in optically variable ink, which changes color when viewed from different angles.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- If the photo appears glued on or does not blend seamlessly into the page.
- No ghost image, or if it appears as a faded copy rather than a professional reproduction.
- Text or images that do not shift in color as they should with optically variable ink.
SEE VIDEO BELOW
Check the Embedded Security Features
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Security Thread: The newer U.S. passports contain a security thread embedded in the pages, visible under UV light. It should contain microprinted text and symbols that align with government standards.
- UV Reactive Features: Under ultraviolet (UV) light, certain elements of the passport will fluoresce. For example, the bio-data page may reveal hidden designs, and each visa page contains UV-reactive ink that displays additional images and symbols.
- Watermark: Every page has a watermark of Benjamin Franklin or other patriotic symbols. This watermark should be visible when the page is held up to light.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- Lack of a security thread or a thread that does not contain authentic microprinting.
- No or poorly designed UV-reactive features.
- No watermark, or if the watermark appears as a printed design rather than an integrated feature.
Additional Security Elements
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Ink Colors and Patterns: U.S. passports use specialized inks for different patterns and colors, making them very hard to replicate. On visa pages, you should see intricate designs and color shifts when tilting the page.
- Intaglio Printing: The cover and some internal elements are printed with intaglio, a method that leaves a tactile feel and is hard to counterfeit. Run your fingers over the cover and bio-data page to feel for raised ink.
- Microchip: Newer passports are e-passports and contain an embedded RFID microchip symbol on the front cover. The chip contains a digital version of the passport holder’s bio-data page. The chip can be scanned to verify the passport’s authenticity.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- If the passport lacks intricate printing or if the designs appear simple and flat.
- No raised ink or tactile elements.
- Absence of the RFID chip symbol on newer passports, or if the chip fails to scan at appropriate checkpoints.
Cross-Check with Known Specifications
The U.S. Department of State has very specific standards for passport materials, design, and quality. Checking these details against a known authentic passport can be helpful.
Genuine Indicators:
-
- Matching details with other genuine passports you may have seen (if possible).
- Consistency in font, spacing, and alignment of all details on the bio-data page.
Fake Red Flags:
-
- Any inconsistencies in formatting or misspelled text.
- Lack of alignment or mismatched fonts.
Common Sense Red Flags
Sometimes, the context in which the passport is presented can be a clue.
- IF SENT AS A PHOTO IT IS 99% A FAKE – SINCE IT IS ILLEGAL TO DO THAT
- If someone is reluctant to allow a closer inspection.
- If the passport has visible alterations, such as smudges or erased areas.
- If the passport feels lightweight or uses low-quality materials.
Final Note
If you suspect a U.S. passport is fake, report it to the relevant authorities or consult with a passport verification professional. Familiarity with genuine security features, particularly holograms, watermarks, and microprinting, can aid in spotting a fake passport.
A Gallery of Fake U.S. Passports – Can You Spot the Defects?
Always Check for Fake Passports
Remember
It can be difficult to spot fake passports from a photo, but there are that can help (see above.)
Here are some additional things to look for:
- Low-quality image. Fake passport images are often very small – low resolution to make it hard to see the details. This can make the photo look blurry or pixelated.
- Blurry or distorted text. The text on a genuine passport should be clear and easy to read. If the text is blurry or distorted, it could be a sign of a fake passport.
- Inconsistent colors. The colors on a genuine passport should be consistent throughout the document. If the colors look faded or inconsistent, it could be a sign of a fake passport.
- Missing or incorrect information. The passport should contain all of the necessary information, such as the bearer’s name, date of birth, and place of birth and they should match from section to section. If any of this information is missing or incorrect, it could be a sign of a fake passport.
- Security features. Genuine passports have a variety of security features, such as holograms, watermarks, and microprinting. If these features are missing or not clear, it could be a sign of a fake passport.
If you are suspicious that a passport may be fake, you should contact the issuing government or a passport expert to verify its authenticity.
Here are some additional tips for spotting fake passports from a photo:
- Compare the photo to a genuine passport. If you have access to a genuine passport, compare the two side-by-side.
- Look for inconsistencies in the photo. The photo should be consistent with the information in the passport. If there are any inconsistencies, it could be a sign of a fake passport.
- Use a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass can help you to see the security features on the passport more clearly.
- Trust your instincts. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of the passport, it is best to walk away.
It is important to remember that fake passports are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it is not always easy to spot them. However, by being aware of the common signs of a fake passport and by following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from being scammed.
Additional Insights
More:
- Next Generation U.S. Passport (state.gov)
- Military Impersonation Scams – Article Catalog (romancescamsnow.com)
- For New Scam Victims (romancescamsnow.com)
- ScammerPhotos.com Scammer & Fake ID Photos
- Depositing Fake Checks You Get From A Scammer Can Be A Crime (romancescamsnow.com)
- Why Do Victims Believe Fake Scammer Videos Are Real? (romancescamsnow.com)
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Table of Contents
- Spotting Fake Passports
- A Guide to Spotting Typical Fake Passports Used By Scammers as Proof of Identity
- How To Spot Fake U.S. Passports
- The First Rule of Fake Passports
- Note: The New 2021 Passport Design
- Here is How a Real U.S. Passport Should Look – Pre-2021 Design:
- Here is How a Real U.S. Passport Should Look – 2021 and After Design:
- How to Identify Fake Passports – Pre-2021 Design
- A Gallery of Fake U.S. Passports – Can You Spot the Defects?
- Always Check for Fake Passports
- Remember
- Additional Insights
- More:
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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