Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Plan B Summit
    • Webinars
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Plan B Summit
    • Webinars
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Plan B

Fake Citizenship by Investments

  • BY staffwriter
  • March 1, 2019
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Fake Citizenship by Investments

Citizenship and Residency by Investment programs are popping out all over the world right now, as every jurisdiction seems to be interested in taking advantage to inject some foreign investment into their capital. But, watch out… there are many fake citizenship by investment programs out there. Here’s what you need to know to avoid these fake citizenship by investment programs!

I have written extensively about this subject and will continue to do so as it is a booming business right now. The main reason behind this trend is that Americans are worried about what their financial future might hold and thus wish to diversify their citizenship options. But, there are those who will take advantage of the situation with fake citizenship by investment programs.

Donald Trump’s presidency has a number of Americans terrified of what is next and whether they should spend their remaining years in whatever country he leaves behind after his presidency ends. And this is true no matter your political bent… be you for or against, there is a great battle brewing.

For this reason, Americans are choosing to retire overseas. In just about every country on earth, you will see a community of American retirees and expats calling a foreign country home. I do not expect this to slow down one bit.

American retirees are not the only ones who see foreign territories as an alternative to whatever is happening in the United States. American investments into foreign territories have grown substantially in the last decade.

Many Americans see moving abroad as a way to expand their business by setting up shop in another country with a much lower minimum wage, or simply to position themselves in another part of the world to be more competitive.  

Other Americans are doing it to gain access to a second passport. This is done through an investment made sponsored by a government program. The success of this citizenship or residency by investment programs has led to some evildoers to create some fake ones, to trick American Investors.

Here are a few of the fake citizenship by investment scams we have seen in the last year. Note that these countries do have residency and/or second passport programs.

My point here is that some scammers and promoters have built fake marketing programs around these legitimate government offerings – so be careful when you select your representative least you fall for fake citizenship by investment program!

 

1. HUNGARY

Although Hungary is a fantastic choice for a second passport, don’t be fooled by any promoter or advertisement you see on the web. A while back a website, that rightfully so has been taken down, promoted citizenship by investment program where an individual would invest $100,000 dollars in bonds and obtain a second passport. This all seems great, the only problem was that it was fake. The reason that you could tell that it was fake, no matter how convincing the website was, is the low investment needed to participate. European citizenship by investment programs is much more expensive. Just rely on this simple life rule, if something seems too good to be true it probably is.

 

2. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

The Caribbean offers many solid and low-cost citizenship by investment programs so it comes as no surprise to me that someone or a group of someone’s tried to take advantage of this and create a fake one. The government of the small Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda released a statement in which they told foreign investors to ignore a website offering services that were not backed by a government initiative. 

 

3. MEXICO

Even countries with relaxed immigration laws seem to attract scammers and those desperate to leave the United States. Of course, fake promoters in Mexico, the closest neighbour to the south, tried to make money offering fake citizenship by investment program.

A story was made public by a man who was sold a “Mexican Citizenship” for an undisclosed amount. The promise that the seller made to the buyer was that if he bought the document he could become a Mexican citizen in two weeks. This is absolutely ridiculous. Becoming a citizen anywhere in the world takes some time, and Mexico DOES NOT have a passport for purchase programs like St. Lucia or Dominica.

 

4. PANAMA

I don’t have the name of specific fake citizenship by investment program that promoted a second passport from Panama, but there have been a number of cases where an investor was duped by scammers. The reason being that Panama has several popular citizenship by investment programs and it would be easy to fool someone into believing the one they are promoting is real. Just because a country has an easy to navigate citizenship by investment programs, doesn’t mean they are all true.

These are just a few examples you should stay clear from, there are way more scammers and false programs out there so be careful. Contact us and we will happily recommend the best citizenship by investment program that best fits your needs.

Here is probably the most extensive ebook on Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eliminating Your Taxes, Protecting Your Assets And Regaining Privacy Over Your Life And Investments. It is called The Ultimate Guide To Going Offshore.  Visit our bookstore to purchase it today!

 

Contact Author

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Stay Ahead on Every Adventure! 

Stay updated with the World News on Escape Artist. Get all the travel news, international destinations, expat living, moving abroad, Lifestyle Tips, and digital nomad opportunities. Your next journey starts here—don’t miss a moment! Subscribe Now!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • expats
  • safety and security
  • taxes
Previous Article
  • Your Plan B

What to Do if You Lose Your Passport While Traveling Abroad

  • BY Tyler Sorce
  • March 1, 2019
View Post
Next Article
  • Costa Rica

What you Should Know Before Moving to Costa Rica

  • BY staffwriter
  • March 1, 2019
View Post
You May Also Like
A young family stands on a white stone staircase in Santorini, Greece, with iconic blue-domed churches and the sparkling Aegean Sea in the background.
View Post
  • Interview
Leaving the U.S. to Build a New Life in Greece
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • February 2, 2026
Global travel routes illustrating visa programs that lead to permanent residency
View Post
  • Second Residency
Which Visas Actually Lead to Permanent Residency
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • January 28, 2026
The Financial Advantages of Becoming an Expat
View Post
  • Finance
The Financial Case for Living Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • January 20, 2026
A stunning sunset over the ancient, terracotta-roofed town of Volterra, Italy, a dream location for those considering the country's €1 house experiment.
View Post
  • Property Development
Italy’s €1 House Experiment
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • January 19, 2026
Remote worker with laptop and tablet at outdoor garden desk showing digital nomad lifestyle and location independence for global professionals seeking residency
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
From Visa to Resident: 10 Digital Nomad Havens Offering a Path to Citizenship
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • January 13, 2026
Brown leather travel bag with passport and boarding pass at airport check-in counter showing international travel and global mobility for expats planning relocation
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
The World’s Most Powerful Passports Are Changing
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • January 12, 2026
White Mediterranean-style building with green arched door and potted cactus plants, representing the lifestyle and independence offered by global property ownership
View Post
  • Plan B
Global Property as a Pathway to Long-Term Independence
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • December 24, 2025
A person's hands hold a small white model airplane over a world map, symbolizing the careful planning and consideration required for expat relocation in a time of global economic uncertainty.
View Post
  • Plan B
How Inflation Abroad Changes Expat Plans
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • December 20, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Global travel routes illustrating visa programs that lead to permanent residency 1
    • Second Residency
    Which Visas Actually Lead to Permanent Residency
    • January 28, 2026
  • A colorful street in Oaxaca, Mexico, with a mountain in the background, representing an authentic travel experience beyond the resort. 2
    • Culture
    Life Beyond the Resort
    • January 26, 2026
  • The Financial Advantages of Becoming an Expat 3
    • Finance
    The Financial Case for Living Abroad
    • January 20, 2026
  • The bright yellow clock tower of the Xalapa Cathedral against a blue sky, representing the city's rich culture and history for potential expats. 4
    • Mexico
    Could Xalapa Be Mexico’s Best-Kept Cultural Secret?
    • January 23, 2026
  • A small squirrel monkey with a white face and orange fur clings to a vibrant green palm frond, illustrating the daily presence of wildlife in Costa Rica. 5
    • Costa Rica
    Top 10 Culture Shocks You’ll Notice When You Move to Costa Rica
    • January 30, 2026
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • A small squirrel monkey with a white face and orange fur clings to a vibrant green palm frond, illustrating the daily presence of wildlife in Costa Rica. 1
    • Costa Rica
    Top 10 Culture Shocks You’ll Notice When You Move to Costa Rica
    • January 30, 2026
  • The bright yellow clock tower of the Xalapa Cathedral against a blue sky, representing the city's rich culture and history for potential expats. 2
    • Mexico
    Could Xalapa Be Mexico’s Best-Kept Cultural Secret?
    • January 23, 2026
  • Welsh Patagonia 3
    • South America
    A Welsh Homeland at the Edge of Argentina
    • January 9, 2026
  • Colorful cliffside village of Positano Italy with pink and white buildings overlooking Mediterranean Sea showing Mediterranean charm for expats relocating 4
    • Plan B
    The Countries That Make Starting Over Feel Possible
    • December 26, 2025
  • Families and children playing soccer and enjoying beach activities together in Costa Rica, demonstrating community bonding and social connection 5
    • Costa Rica
    Building Community in Costa Rica
    • December 19, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Before you go, want $50 off your Summit registration?

Subscribe, and get $50 discount code for Plan B Summit registration.

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Newsletter Subscription