- HM Passport Office is the only issuer of UK passports, and they are obtained only through its application process.
- Having a false identity document with improper intention carries a published maximum of 10 years; without reasonable excuse, 2 years.
- Making, adapting or supplying articles for fraud carries a published maximum of 10 years on indictment.
What the adverts claim
Sellers advertise on social media and messaging apps. Reports describe forged UK passports offered at around £3,500, with claims that they “pass biometric border controls”. Other listings promise a “registered” passport entered into a government database, or a “diplomatic” passport. Governments issue diplomatic passports to eligible officials; they cannot be bought.
How a purchase usually unfolds
- A social media or messaging contact quotes a price and asks for a photo, signature and personal details.
- A deposit is requested, often by a method that is hard to reverse.
- Nothing arrives, or a second demand follows for “customs” or “release”.
- The buyer cannot easily complain, because the item bought is illegal. Sellers rely on this.
What buyers actually get
| Outcome | What it means for the buyer |
|---|---|
| Nothing arrives | The money is gone, and a buyer of an illegal document cannot easily complain. |
| A forged passport | A document that fails at the border or in any official check, and a criminal offence to hold or use. |
| A second demand | Fees for “customs” or “release”, or a threat to report you unless you pay more. |
| Identity theft | Photos, signatures and personal details sent as part of the “order” are now held by the seller. |
What the law says
Having a false identity document with an improper intention can carry up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both. Having one without reasonable excuse can carry up to two years. Supplying articles for fraud is a separate offence. The sections and sources are on UK law on fake documents. Actual sentences depend on the facts of each case, and this site cannot give legal advice.
Myth and fact
Myth: a “registered” passport is genuine because it is in the database.
Fact: a record exists only after HM Passport Office creates it through its own process. A seller has no way to add one.
Myth: a diplomatic passport is a premium product.
Fact: governments issue them to eligible officials, and they cannot be purchased.
Consequences, in three kinds
- Legal: the ceilings above, applying to possession, use and supply. The ceiling is not the usual sentence.
- Practical: a forged passport fails at the border or any official check, and anything built on it, such as a bank account or a visa, can unravel.
- Identity: the seller keeps your photo, signature and details and can reuse them.
Two-minute checks on any passport offer
- Does the seller ask you to skip the HM Passport Office application? Then it is not a passport route.
- Is contact only by WhatsApp, Telegram or social media? That matches the pattern in scam red flags.
- Is there a promise of a “database entry”, an inside contact or crypto discount? Each is a warning on its own.
If you need a passport
The only route is the government one: see renewing a UK passport or, if yours is missing, reporting it lost or stolen. If you have already paid a seller or sent personal details, the steps for a document scam apply here too.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy a real UK passport?
No. HM Passport Office is the only issuer, and it does not sell passports outside the application process.
Can a diplomatic passport be bought?
No. Governments issue diplomatic passports to eligible officials. An offer to sell one is a scam or a forgery.
What is the penalty for having a false passport?
Under the Identity Documents Act 2010, up to two years for possession without reasonable excuse and up to ten years with improper intention, as published on legislation.gov.uk. These are ceilings, not usual sentences.
What does a 'registered passport' mean?
Nothing official. A genuine passport exists because HM Passport Office issued it after an application. A seller cannot insert a record into that system, so a 'registered' claim is a sales line.
What if I already sent money or documents to a passport seller?
Tell your bank immediately, keep the messages, and report to Report Fraud. If you sent a photo and details, watch for credit applications in your name. The steps are on the paid-a-scammer page.
Is supplying fake passports a different offence from having one?
Yes. Making, adapting or supplying articles for use in fraud falls under section 7 of the Fraud Act 2006, with a published maximum of ten years on indictment.