Since 2023, the Chinese Embassy in the UK has repeatedly issued notices reminding Chinese nationals in the UK to be vigilant against scammers who impersonate Embassy staff to carry out various frauds. Recently, the Embassy has once again received reports from local residents about scammers impersonating Embassy staff over the phone. These scammers attempted to obtain personal information for fraudulent purposes by claiming that the call recipient had uncollected documents at the Embassy. Additionally, some intermediaries posted information online claiming to be authorised by the Embassy to handle consular documents and misled applicants about application policies or fee standards to fraudulently obtain money.

In response to the above situation, the Embassy once again strongly advises local residents to strengthen their awareness of safety, remain vigilant at all times, and avoid falling victim to scams. The Embassy hereby reiterates the following points:

1. Be vigilant against telecom scams conducted in the name of the Embassy. Please note that the external consultation phone numbers published on the Embassy’s official website can only receive incoming calls and cannot make outgoing calls. If you receive a call claiming to be from the Embassy, hang up immediately and call back to verify. If you do not have an ongoing application at the Embassy, the Embassy will not call to notify you of any “uncollected packages” or “urgent documents.” The Embassy will not ask for personal information over the phone or transfer calls to “relevant departments in China.”

2. The Embassy has never authorised any intermediary agencies or individuals to handle any types of consular document services on its behalf. The Embassy follows the principles of being comprehensive, open, and transparent when announcing consular document information to the public. Detailed information about convenience measures and applicable situations, such as Green Channel (link: http://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/lsfw_137163/lszj/hzlxz/sbhzlxzxz/202406/t20240622_11439953.htm), exemption of fingerprints collection (link: http://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/lsfw_137163/lszj/fhqz/sbqzxz/202401/t20240104_11218814.htm), and temporary fee reductions (link: http://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/lsfw_137163/lszj/sfbz/202408/t20240802_11465120.htm), are available on the Embassy’s website. Any claims by intermediary agencies or individuals that they are authorised by the Embassy to process consular documents, or that paying an intermediary fee will allow you to use the Green Channel or be exempt from fingerprint collection, are false information. Applicants are advised to carefully read the relevant information on the Embassy website (link: http://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/lsfw_137163/lszj/) and the visa center website (link: https://bio.visaforchina.cn/LON3_ZH/qianzhengyewu) before applying for consular documents to understand the application process, required materials, and fee standards in order to avoid being deceived.

3. If you encounter anything suspicious, please report to or verify with the Embassy, or contact the police in China or the UK.

For information about consular protection, please contact +44-7536174993. ( Please be aware that this phone does not make outgoing calls. Any calls displaying this number are fraudulent.)

For information about visa and consular legalisation, please contact +44-020-72994020.

To report to the police or contact the National Anti-Fraud Center in China, dial 110. To report to the police in the UK, dial 999 for emergencies or 101 for non-emergencies, or visit the website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.