These signs come from official warnings and from our own reading of the seller sites listed in what fake document sellers claim. One sign is a warning. Three or more is an answer.
- The Home Office advisory says the UK government does not solicit payments by international money transfer such as MoneyGram or Western Union.
- GOV.UK says no alternative service can give a faster ETA decision, and an ETA never guarantees entry.
- Citizens Advice names missing postal addresses, pressure to pay fast and unusual payment methods as scam signs.
- In the reported 2026 DBS case, victims paid £70 to £100 for a check the official service charged £21.50 for at the time.
What they promise
- No exam, no test, no course. The issuer decides whether you qualify; a seller cannot.
- “Registered in the database.” A record exists only after the issuer creates it. See the DVLA database claim.
- An inside contact. “We have people at DVLA” or “a connection at the exam board”.
- Speed no official process offers. Delivery in days for something that takes months.
- A guaranteed result. Only the Home Office decides ETAs and visas, and it decides on the facts.
How they contact you
- Instagram or TikTok first, then WhatsApp or Telegram.
- No company details you can verify, or an address and phone number from different countries.
- Requests for photos of your ID, a signature or your address before any price is given.
How they take payment
- Cryptocurrency, often with a discount for using it.
- Bank transfer to an individual, gift cards or money-transfer services.
- A deposit, then a second payment to “release” the document.
A flag, and what the official process says
| Flag | The official process | Where we checked |
|---|---|---|
| Payment by money transfer for a visa or job | The UK government does not solicit payments by international money transfer | Home Office visa fraud advisory |
| “Express ETA” or a fee well above £20 | The ETA costs £20 and alternative services cannot speed up the decision | GOV.UK ETA pages |
| Passport “same day” with no appointment | The fastest route is 1 Day Premium, £239.50, with an appointment and collection 4 hours later | GOV.UK urgent passport page |
| A recruiter collecting a DBS fee | Basic checks are £20.00 on GOV.UK; standard and enhanced checks are requested by the employer or organisation | GOV.UK and DBS announcement |
| A certificate “search” fee of £20 or more | The official search fee is £3.50 and applies only without a GRO reference | GOV.UK certificate service |
| No postal address, only a chat window | Citizens Advice lists a missing street address as a sign that you are not dealing with a real company | Citizens Advice |
Cases that fit the pattern
| When | What was reported | Flag it shows |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | A man was sentenced to 14 months for laundering nearly £18,000 from job-seekers, who were told to pay for DBS checks on counterfeit websites | A recruiter collecting a fee on a link of its own |
| 2011 | The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint about private sites implying they were the General Register Office, one charging up to £74.99 against an official £23.40 for express | An official-sounding name and a large mark-up |
| January 2024 | Which? reported 26 adverts for fake driving licences on Facebook and Instagram, which Meta removed | Social media first, then messaging apps |
A quick score
Count the flags in the offer. One flag, such as a high price: check the official fee. Two flags: stop and use the official route. Three or more, or any request for payment by transfer, gift card or crypto before anything is delivered: treat it as a scam and report it.
What to do
Stop, keep the evidence, and use the official route for the document: official checks lists the right check for each, and where to report says who to tell.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest red flag in a document offer?
A promise of a licence, certificate or card without the exam, test or application. No official issuer allows it.
Is payment by cryptocurrency a warning sign?
Yes, especially when it comes with a discount. Crypto payments are hard to trace or reverse.
Does the government ever ask for payment by money transfer?
The Home Office advisory on visa fraud says the UK government does not solicit payments by international money transfer, such as MoneyGram or Western Union.
Can a website guarantee my ETA or visa?
No. GOV.UK says an ETA does not guarantee entry and that alternative services cannot give a faster decision. Only the Home Office decides applications.
What are the signs of a fake recruiter?
The recruiter, not the employer, tells you to pay, there is no company name you can verify, the link is not on gov.uk and you are pushed to pay quickly. Citizens Advice also lists a missing postal address.
What should I do if I spot two or three of these signs?
Stop, do not pay, keep the evidence and use the official route. Then report it, starting with the contacts on the report a scam page.