Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
    • Events
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
    • Events
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • 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 Escape Plan

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!

 

If you’re considering traveling or moving abroad, be sure to explore your healthcare options. Visit International Citizens Insurance to learn more and get a free quote.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • expats
  • safety and security
  • taxes
Previous Article
  • North America

What is a Mexican Fideicomiso?

  • BY EA Editors
  • October 9, 2018
View Post
Next Article
  • Panama

Comparing Retirement in Panama to Retirement in Florida

  • BY Brooke Cobb
  • June 1, 2019
View Post
You May Also Like
Tokyo's infamous cherry blossoms.
View Post
  • Japan
How I Built a Life in Tokyo in 3 Months
  • BY Annie Nagel
  • September 8, 2025
Global Diversification Tips from Experts
View Post
  • Plan B
Staying in One Country Could Be Your Biggest Financial Risk
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • September 3, 2025
Low-Tax Countries to Save Money in 2025
View Post
  • Plan B
Where Expats Are Moving to Keep More of Their Money
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • August 27, 2025
The search for a second passport has shifted from luxury to necessity for many Americans
View Post
  • Second Residency
America’s Second Passport Fever
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • August 25, 2025
Belize Offshore Banking
View Post
  • Plan B
Why Belize’s Waters Run Deep in Offshore Banking
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • August 20, 2025
International Banking Structures
View Post
  • Plan B
Tax-Friendly Banking Solutions for International Investors
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • August 13, 2025
Global Residency Program and Citizenship Programs
View Post
  • Plan B
Your Next Investment Should Be a Residency Program
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • August 6, 2025
Tunisia, North Africa - One of most affordable Countries to live
View Post
  • Plan B
The Most Affordable Countries to Live in 2025
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • July 30, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Global Diversification Tips from Experts 1
    • Plan B
    Staying in One Country Could Be Your Biggest Financial Risk
    • September 3, 2025
  • England: where history lingers in the mist. 2
    • England
    Top 10 Things to Know If You’re Moving to England
    • September 5, 2025
  • Tokyo's infamous cherry blossoms. 3
    • Japan
    How I Built a Life in Tokyo in 3 Months
    • September 8, 2025
  • The sweeping desert plains of Western Sahara, where beauty meets political tension 4
    • Africa
    Western Sahara. Africa’s Last Colony
    • September 12, 2025
  • Latest News this Week: Molten lava arcs skyward from Kīlauea’s summit crater 5
    • News
    Latest News: Lava, Leaders, and Lines in the Sand
    • September 4, 2025
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • Costa Rica Rainy Season - Rain clouds gather over a quiet Costa Rican road as the season begins 1
    • Costa Rica
    When the Rain Falls in Costa Rica
    • September 15, 2025
  • England: where history lingers in the mist. 2
    • England
    Top 10 Things to Know If You’re Moving to England
    • September 5, 2025
  • Friendly locals and relaxed daily life in The Gambia 3
    • Africa
    Could The Gambia Become Africa’s Next Digital Nomad Safari?
    • August 29, 2025
  • Croatias Tourism: Aerial view of Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coastline, where historic towns meet turquoise waters 4
    • Croatia
    Croatia’s Journey to Wonder
    • August 22, 2025
  • Moving to Morocco: a palette of Tradition, Texture of Tradition 5
    • Morocco
    Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Morocco
    • August 18, 2025
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
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.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/