LKA warns of false ETA application pages for entry to the UK

Since 1 April, an electronic, fee-based permit, an "Electronic Travel Authorization" or ETA for short, has been required to enter the UK. This can be requested on an official website and in an app.

On the polizei-praevention.de portal, the LKA Lower Saxony now warns against fraudulent or overpriced websites offering the application. The authority has received reports from people who were planning a trip to England and were looking for the website to apply for an entry permit. However, this did not lead them to the official website, but to people or websites that offered overpriced ETA services or even fraudulently collected data and requested payments.

According to the LKA, there are now several providers offering online services of varying degrees of seriousness. These are placed prominently in search results –. It remains unclear whether this is due to SEO or advertising. Those who want to register for a stay in England via this service may be in for an expensive or even nasty surprise afterwards, unless they have doubts beforehand and cancel the process.

Various overpriced offers

There are various websites that charge a multiple of the actual "original price" on the official website of around 10 British pounds, currently around 12 euros, for this service. The advertisements that have appeared so far quote amounts such as 70 or even 200 British pounds.

To make matters worse, personal, sensitive data must be entered on these websites; this is also the case on the original website. However, what is required there then falls into the hands of third parties and can be misused for phishing attacks or identity theft. Anyone submitting an application on such websites also runs the risk of the actual application not being submitted correctly. It can also happen that no entry permit is issued or that victims only receive a fake permit. The officially required data includes contact details, details of occupation and criminal convictions or terrorist acts, passport photo and a personal photo – "such data in foreign hands would be of great value to cyber criminals", the law enforcement agencies write.

The LKA Lower Saxony advises people to only use the original website or the original apps for the ETA application. Interested parties should not trust search engine results. In particular, increased prices for this service are an indication that caution is required. It is currently around 10 British pounds, but from April 9, 16 pounds will be due.

The official website for the ETA application is www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. The official apps can be selected via the website apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorization/easier-on-the-app for the respective smartphone operating system. You should receive a response within three days.

Anyone who has been taken in by a fraudulent application page should report it to their local police station or online watchdog, the LKA advises. Further information on what data has been entered and uploaded, as well as screenshots, are helpful. If, for example, bank details have been entered, victims should also inform their bank. Documents received, such as a positive ETA notice, should also be checked for authenticity – otherwise there is a real risk of not being allowed to enter the UK.

(dmk)