The Indian mission in the UAE has warned Indian nationals about unauthorised agents who seek biometric and personal data while promising help with Emergency Certificates, Exit Permits, Emirates ID applications, visa regularisation or jobs.
The official advisory, dated 24 August 2026, says fraudsters may target people already under pressure because of lost passports, visa problems, job loss or urgent travel. Indian residents and visitors have been told to verify every service and use only official channels.
What does the Indian mission's advisory say?
The Embassy of India advisory says multiple Indian nationals, especially blue-collar workers, have been cheated by unauthorised agents and individuals.
These agents allegedly offer assistance with Emergency Certificates, Exit Permits, Emirates ID services, visa regularisation and employment. They may then collect fingerprints, facial or eye scans, passport details, Emirates ID information or banking credentials.
The warning says such information can be misused for financial transactions, bank accounts, loans, credit cards and other activities in the victim's name. This can leave a victim facing debts or legal problems linked to actions they did not authorise.
Indian Embassy does not seek scans for passports or Emergency Certificates
The mission has made an important distinction. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai do not require applicants to provide fingerprint, facial or eye scans for the issuance of an Indian passport or Emergency Certificate.
Anyone demanding such biometric data while claiming to act for the Embassy or Consulate should be treated as suspicious. Applicants should stop the process and verify the person's credentials through an official channel before providing documents or making a payment.
Biometrics may be required for certain UAE government procedures, including some Emirates ID, visa or Exit Permit processes. When required, those scans must be completed only at the designated UAE government facility or authorised counter.
Information expats should never give to an unknown agent
- Fingerprints, face scans or eye scans
- Passport copies without confirming the purpose and recipient
- Emirates ID details or copies sent to an unverified contact
- Bank-account passwords, card information or PINs
- One-time passwords received by SMS or banking apps
- UAE Pass credentials or approval requests initiated by a stranger
A biometric identifier cannot be changed as easily as a password. A fingerprint or facial pattern may continue to create identity risks long after the original scam. People should therefore treat every request for a scan as a high-risk request that needs official confirmation.
Why blue-collar workers face a higher risk
Workers dealing with expired visas, unpaid wages, job loss or missing documents may urgently need help and may not know which office handles a particular service. Fraudsters exploit that urgency by promising guaranteed approvals, faster appointments or contacts inside government departments.
A request may begin with a small fee or passport copy and gradually expand to more money and sensitive data. Indian community groups, employers and families can reduce this risk by sharing verified contact information and helping vulnerable workers confirm procedures before they pay.
How to verify an agent or report a suspicious request
The advisory directs Indian nationals to the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra, or PBSK, for verification and assistance. The official Consulate contact page lists these details:
- UAE toll-free number: 800 46342
- WhatsApp or SMS: +971 54 309 0571
- Email: [email protected]
People who have already shared documents or banking information should contact their bank, change compromised passwords, review account activity and seek help from the relevant authorities. They should preserve messages, payment receipts, phone numbers and account details as evidence.
Safety checklist before using a consular or visa service
- Confirm that the website, centre and contact details are official.
- Ask why each document or scan is required.
- Never approve an unexplained UAE Pass or banking request.
- Pay only through the stated official method and keep the receipt.
- Do not trust claims of guaranteed approvals or erased fines.
- Call PBSK if the process or agent appears unusual.
The central message is simple: urgency should not replace verification. Indian nationals in the UAE should use authorised government or consular channels, refuse private requests for biometric scans, and report suspicious activity before it harms more people.