Visa scammed

bainbridge

bainbridge

bainbridge

Soldato
Joined
9 Dec 2009
Posts
5,316
Location
Bristol
Well this is my own stupid fault so I only have myself to blame, but anyway..

Instead of doing visa on arrival I decided to buy a visa online to get it out of the way because my plane is scheduled to arrive at 7:30 pm.

I thought I was on the official website but I wasn't, I was on one of those middle man websites that arranged simple bits of admin for a charge :(

£83 later and they're asking for a copy of my passport in order to issue the visa, which should cost $30

I was stupid in not being vigilant before entering in entering my personal info, including passport number, on this website, but at least I did it on credit card rather than debit. The site also went through one of those 3rd party payment systems so I didn't provide any card details directly to the site.

I called my bank who said I can cancel the card and they'll issue a new one, but they can't stop the transaction which is still pending. Or, I can wait until it appears on my statement and raise a dispute

I've decided to go with the latter and just buy a visa on arrival.

It's not a large amount gone, but I'm annoyed that I fell for it and also annoyed that these people now have my personal info :(

Edit: I've emailed the visa organiser requesting a refund and they've replied saying they are refunding.
 
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If it's any consolation, I feel I got scammed too when buying a eVisa/visa and not by a 3rd party either.

Apparently I did something wrong on my online eVisa application (I did not). It was rejected and they don't say why, they just advised to apply for a regular Visa via the post.

No refund, because it's in the terms & conditions that you have to accept.

So that was £66 wasted on this quick easy way to get an eVisa. 5 year eVisa too.

I applied for the regular visa, which had to be taken to my nearest embassy. £149. ONE year.

Ripped off? Well it was granted. but it is still a rip off.
 
J.James said:
If it's any consolation, I feel I got scammed too when buying a eVisa/visa and not by a 3rd party either.

Apparently I did something wrong on my online eVisa application (I did not). It was rejected and they don't say why, they just advised to apply for a regular Visa via the post.

No refund, because it's in the terms & conditions that you have to accept.

So that was £66 wasted on this quick easy way to get an eVisa. 5 year eVisa too.

I applied for the regular visa, which had to be taken to my nearest embassy. £149. ONE year.

Ripped off? Well it was granted. but it is still a rip off.
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That's a bummer :( From now on I'm just going to do visa on arrival where I can and if it means a bit longer in the airport so be it.
 
bainbridge said:
That's a bummer :( From now on I'm just going to do visa on arrival where I can and if it means a bit longer in the airport so be it.
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You didn't say what country you travelled to, but are you sure you know the meaning of visa on arrival?

Usually that just means they stamp your passport when you arrive, there's no 'applying' for it, and doesn't take any extra time whatsoever.
 
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