AIMA Issues Urgent Warning Over Fake Immigration Website Targeting Foreign Residents

Portugal's immigration and asylum agency, AIMA — the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — has issued a formal warning about a fraudulent website that is impersonating its official online presence, urging foreign nationals to exercise extreme caution and to report any suspicious interactions to law enforcement.

According to a notice published on AIMA's official website, the domain aimapt.com has "no connection" with the agency. The fraudulent site is described as "improperly using AIMA's visual identity" and attempting to pass itself off as an official platform — a tactic designed to deceive users who are unfamiliar with the real address, aima.gov.pt, or who arrive at the fake site via search engines or social media links.

What the Scam Looks Like

AIMA has not disclosed the full range of fraudulent services offered by the fake site, but the agency has been explicit about the red flags to watch for. It warns that AIMA will never, through any website, request personal information, banking details, or payments. Any site claiming to be AIMA that asks users to enter bank account numbers, credit card details, or to make payments for immigration services should be treated as fraudulent.

The agency has confirmed that it has already activated "the necessary mechanisms" in relation to the fraudulent site, which suggests that requests have been made to hosting providers or domain registrars to take down the page. However, such processes can take time, and the fake site may remain accessible in the interim.

Why This Matters for Foreign Residents

The timing and target of this scam are not accidental. AIMA handles an enormous volume of applications from foreign nationals — residency permits, nationality applications, long-term visas, family reunification, and more — and has been under sustained pressure since its creation in 2023 following the dissolution of the former SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras). Processing backlogs, online appointment scarcity, and the general complexity of Portuguese immigration bureaucracy have made many applicants vulnerable to fraudsters offering shortcuts or unofficial assistance.

Foreign residents, particularly those in the early stages of establishing legal status in Portugal, are among the most likely to search online for AIMA's services and to encounter fake or misleading results. The agency's genuine platform — aima.gov.pt — is the only authorised source for appointments, document submissions, and official information.

Those who believe they may have already interacted with the fake website, shared personal data, or made any payment through it are advised to file a report immediately with one of the following authorities: the Polícia Judiciária (PJ), the Ministério Público, the PSP (police), or the GNR (national guard). Victims who have provided banking information should also contact their bank as a matter of urgency to secure their accounts.

A Wider Pattern

The AIMA scam fits a broader trend of fraudulent websites targeting immigrants and foreign nationals in Portugal. Immigration lawyers and community organisations have repeatedly warned about unofficial services that charge fees for appointments, documentation, or legal advice, often with little or no follow-through. In some cases, applicants have paid hundreds of euros for services that are either free through official channels or simply never delivered.

AIMA says the only legitimate way to access its services is through aima.gov.pt. Appointments are also available through the Agendamento Online system. Any alternative platform claiming to offer accelerated access, premium appointments, or unofficial assistance should be treated with deep scepticism, regardless of how official it appears.