Scammers target refugees and foreigners in Switzerland
Swiss authorities distributed leaflets in all asylum seekers' centres on January 24, warning people about the scam.
Keystone
Fraudsters posing as Swiss authorities have been trying to scam asylum seekers and foreigners living in Switzerland, threatening that they would be expelled from the country if they did not pay money.
The scammers have been posing as members of the Swiss border control authorities, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) or even the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), reported Le Matin Dimanche newspaper on Sunday. They have been threatening to withdraw the victim’s residence permit or expel them if they do not pay a certain sum of money into an account.
“It doesn’t work like that but for refugees, they may think that paying can help their asylum application,” SEM spokesman Reto Kormann told Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA. Confirming the report, he said the SEM had been informed by the border guard that refugees were being contacted in English.
The SEM therefore acted immediately to alert refugees and cantonal migration authorities to the scam, he said. His office declined to indicate the number of victims or amounts of money requested.
Fedpol says it will file a complaint and also encourages victims to do the same. “It’s an essential step in cases like this,” fedpol spokesman Thomas Dayer told Keystone-SDA.
More
More
Fewer people seeking asylum in Switzerland
This content was published on
A total of 15,255 applications were submitted, which represents the lowest level in 11 years, Gattiker told the Blick newspaperExternal link. In 2017, SEMExternal link received 18,088 asylum applications, which was already a drop of one third from a peak in 2016. However, the fall in asylum seeker numbers is no cause for celebration, according…
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
This content was published on
The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
This content was published on
PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
This content was published on
The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
This content was published on
The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
This content was published on
Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
This content was published on
Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
This content was published on
Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
This content was published on
A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Asylum centre standards largely up to par, report finds
This content was published on
Conditions in Swiss asylum centres generally conform to fundamental rights standards, the national torture prevention commission has found.
This content was published on
After a spike in 2016, asylum applications in Switzerland have been in steady decline. Migrants are seeking now seeking alternative routes.
This content was published on
Gaurav did not think that students could be scammed in Switzerland. A few incidents involving acquaintances have made him wary.
This content was published on
The scammers pretended to be investigators for Interpol and had contacted the victim over the phone, asking her to withdraw large sums of cash, according to the cantonal prosecution for economic crimes and the Bernese cantonal police. The case is one of over 70 calls which have been reported by local citizens in the Bern…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.