Watch out! Fake lawyers try to get money from you via WhatsApp or Facebook
VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) is receiving signals that criminals who speak Arabic are trying to get money from asylum seekers online. They pretend to be lawyers on Facebook or WhatsApp. And they promise to help you with your asylum procedure. But then you have to transfer money. Do not do that.
They tell stories that are not true
The criminals tell you that they can help you with your asylum procedure. That they will file a request for you with the court in the Netherlands. So that you will get an answer to your asylum request faster. Or that you will not have to wait so long for your turn. Or that you will get a residence permit. Do not believe any of this. This is a lie. And certainly do not pay any money.
The IND determines when it is your turn and whether you get a permit
Only the
Your own lawyer can tell you if he or she sent you a message
Not sure if a message you received is really from your asylum lawyer? If so, contact the lawyer's office first. Or ask VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) at your location to do so. Your lawyer can tell you if he or she sent you a message.
What you can do if you have been scammed
Have you also been approached via Facebook, WhatsApp or another social media channel? And have you paid money and then not heard anything back? Then you have probably been scammed too. Contact VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) to see what you can do. Maybe together you can report it to the police. You can trust the police in the Netherlands.