Nowadays getting acquainted often happens on specialized websites on the internet.

Please use extreme caution when inviting an internet-acquaintance to visit you in Switzerland or if this person intends to travel to Switzerland with a tourist visa and asks you for substantial financial support. 

Not all internet-users are honest, some have criminal or dishonest intentions. The anonymity of the internet makes delusion and deception fairly easy. Cases of fraud are happening regularly and are organized in a professional way. Much time and effort are invested to make the claims for money more credible.

Fake invoices or emails from virtual travel agencies and/or their websites, forged letters and documents from Swiss or Russian authorities, falsified or forged copies of passports, copies of allegedly already issued Schengen visa are produced with the sole purpose of malpractice.  Sometimes it is claimed that fines or taxes need to be settled before departure and It is often also alleged that the deposit of a larger sum is required or the "vacation money" is checked at the airport.

The following facts and advice should always be remembered in the connection with new acquaintances: 

• Be very careful when receiving claims for money from people you've met on the internet, who intend to apply for a visa and ask for you financial support in this regard. Don't send or transfer money. 
• The consular fee for the consideration of a visa application of a Russian citizens amounts to EUR 35.00 (per person; since the entry into force of the visa facilitation agreement on 01 February 2011). The consular fee for non-Russian applicants amounts to EUR 60.00. This fee is charged only once! 
• The Embassy of Switzerland/the Consulate General of Switzerland never requires applicants and/or hosts to pay or leave deposits of any kind. 
• Detailed information in regards to the visa process and the required documents can be found on this website
• For additional information please call or send us an email.

Fraud and attempts to defraud are criminal offences and can be notified to the police in Switzerland (Article 146, the Swiss Criminal Code). For more information on the subject see the website of the Cybercrime Coordination Unit Switzerland (CYCO). Link provided in the link box on the right hand side of this page.