Spotting Fake Passports

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:

Michelle Obama U.S. Passport

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

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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

Using Passport Photos Standards To Spot Fakes

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