Foreign Ministry Warns Public About Fake ‘Policy Advisers’ Offering Paid Migration Guidance

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an unusual public advisory on 6 July after discovering social-media accounts that falsely claim to advise the ministry on trade and migration policy while selling paid consultation sessions. In a post from its official @MEAFactCheck handle, the ministry stressed that the individuals behind the accounts “have no connection” with the government. Although the alert did not name the platforms involved, officials say the fake advisers were most active on X and LinkedIn, targeting exporters and HR professionals seeking clarification on visa quotas, bilateral labour accords and overseas expansion. Screenshots shared by the ministry show fees of up to ₹15,000 (US $180) for a 30-minute “strategy call”. The scam highlights the growing commercial market around cross-border compliance advice and the difficulty businesses face in distinguishing legitimate consultants from impersonators. The MEA urged companies to rely solely on official domain e-mails (mea.gov.in) and verified handles, and reminded the public that policy consultations are not conducted via personal social-media profiles. For mobility managers the advisory serves as a cautionary tale: engaging unvetted “insiders” could expose firms to data theft or bad-faith visa filings that attract regulatory penalties. Companies should circulate the MEA notice internally and ensure that any third-party adviser can provide a valid contract, GST number and references. The warning is part of a broader government effort to combat online impersonation; earlier this year the Home Ministry’s CyberSafe initiative began working with major platforms to fast-track takedowns of fake government profiles within 24 hours of notification.