Beware: New immigration phone scam

Immigration New Zealand has recently issued a warning about a targeted phone scam that has been making the rounds. According to the warning message, the call is claiming to originate from 'The Immigration Bureau' and tells the recipient that there is a "serious problem with your visa." It then guides them to press various buttons to access services in English or Chinese.

However, the scam is entirely false and illegitimate. This is not a real call from Immigration New Zealand, and any person receiving it should immediately hang up and not engage in any further interaction. 

The scammers' intention is to deceive people and identify potential targets for further scams. In the future, they may try to manipulate or trick people into revealing their personal or financial details, or to make unwarranted payments. As such, we are urging anybody who receives this telephone scam to report it to INZ immediately.

Furthermore, if you are a Visa holder and are concerned about your visa situation, please do not hesitate to contact INZ. It's important always to be vigilant and cautious of potential scams and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. Remember, genuine immigration applications are only accepted by Immigration New Zealand, and people should not be caught out by fraudsters cheating innocent victims out of their hard-earned money. Stay safe, alert and protect your personal information.

Source: INZ website