As EU travellers now require a specific Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom in addition to an international travel passport, Belgian police are warning people to look out for scammers.
Since the start of April, EU nationals – including Belgians – need an ETA for short stays (maximum six months) in the UK. However, scammers are eagerly taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the new regulations, according to the Antwerp police.
"Scam victims arrive at fake online shops misleading travellers via search engines when they look up terms such as 'UK ETA application'. These fake online shops mislead travellers into applying for an ETA document," the police said.
On the site, people have to fill in personal details and make a payment that is usually significantly higher than the official cost of £16 (approximately €18).
The fraud goes even further, with additional emails requesting even more passport data. Although many travellers realise at that point that they are being scammed, some people have lost over €200. "New victims report this scam every day," the police said.
The police advise people to only apply for an ETA via the UK Government's official website or official ETA app on their smartphone. In case of suspected fraud, travellers can verify if they hold a valid ETA by using the Electronic Travel Authorisation Webchat.
More information about the document and how to apply for it can be found here.
