Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • 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
  • 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
    • Events
    • Shop
  • 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
  • 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!

 

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
Welcome sign in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a laid-back Caribbean town that offers one of Costa Rica’s most colorful and affordable coastal lifestyles.
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Moving to Costa Rica: Your Guide for a Smooth Transition
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 20, 2025
Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
View Post
  • Know Before You Go
Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 17, 2025
Starting a Business Abroad - A world of new markets and global possibilities
View Post
  • Business
The Beauty of Starting a Business Abroad
  • BY Aneesa Marufu
  • October 17, 2025
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 15, 2025
How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
View Post
  • Plan B
How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 15, 2025
7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
View Post
  • Mexico
7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 14, 2025
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
View Post
  • Spain
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 13, 2025
Buying a Property abroad
View Post
  • Your Escape Plan
Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Buying a Property abroad 1
    • Your Escape Plan
    Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
    • October 8, 2025
  • Life between borders 2
    • Field Notes
    Living Between Continents, Cultures, and Contradictions
    • October 13, 2025
  • How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad 3
    • Plan B
    How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
    • October 15, 2025
  • Living in Paris: Digital Nomad Guide 4
    • Digital Nomadism
    A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Living Like a Local in Paris
    • October 10, 2025
  • Starting a Business Abroad - A world of new markets and global possibilities 5
    • Business
    The Beauty of Starting a Business Abroad
    • October 17, 2025
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • Welcome sign in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a laid-back Caribbean town that offers one of Costa Rica’s most colorful and affordable coastal lifestyles. 1
    • Costa Rica
    Moving to Costa Rica: Your Guide for a Smooth Transition
    • October 20, 2025
  • Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In 2
    • Know Before You Go
    Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
    • October 17, 2025
  • Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips 3
    • Costa Rica
    Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
    • October 15, 2025
  • 7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle 4
    • Mexico
    7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
    • October 14, 2025
  • Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026 5
    • Spain
    Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
    • October 13, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • 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/