Check the Real Embassy Phone Number in Pakistan: Swiss and Austrian Embassies Warn of Fake Google Listings
Swiss and Austrian embassies in Islamabad say fake Google numbers sell visa slots. The real numbers, a 5 step check, and what to do if you already paid.
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Two European embassies in Islamabad now warn that fake phone numbers for them are showing up in Google search, and that the people answering offer visa appointments for money. The Swiss Embassy says its only correct number is +92 51 209 88 00. The Austrian Embassy says its correct number is +92 51 8770 700 and that it never works through agents. Before you call any embassy number you found on a map listing, check it against the embassy's own website.
We read both warnings on the embassies' official sites on 7 November 2026: the Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan page and the Austrian Embassy Islamabad home page. This guide shows how the scam works, the real numbers, and a five step check you can use for any embassy before you pay anyone.
Swiss and Austrian embassies confirm fake Google listings
The Swiss notice says fraudulent entities have entered false contact information for the embassy in Google search results. It says the fraudsters offer appointment bookings and demand money transfers. It asks people not to call the number shown in Google search for the embassy.
The Austrian notice says false information about the embassy is circulating in Google searches, including a fraudulent phone number and misleading appointment offers. It says official information is available only on the embassy's website and that the embassy does not collaborate with intermediaries or agencies.
| Embassy in Islamabad | Correct phone, per its own site | Real appointment channel |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | +92 51 209 88 00 | Contact details on eda.admin.ch |
| Austria | +92 51 8770 700 | VFS Global for Schengen visas, email for long stay |
| Austria, address | 7 A, Street 21, F 8-2, Islamabad | No agents or intermediaries |
How the fake listing scam works
The trick is simple and it relies on how people search. A visa applicant types "Swiss embassy Islamabad number" and calls the first number Google shows in the map panel. That number has been edited by someone else. The person who answers sounds official, says appointments are full, and offers a "guaranteed slot" for a fee sent by bank transfer, JazzCash or Easypaisa.
Once the money is sent, the slot does not exist. Some callers are then asked for more money for "processing" or "insurance". Others are asked for passport scans and bank statements, which can be misused later.
Pakistani visa applicants are an easy target because appointment waits for some Schengen countries are long. The Austrian Embassy itself says waits for work and student appointments may be longer because of very high demand. Long waits create a market for anyone promising a shortcut.
Check any embassy number in five steps
Use this before you call, message or pay anyone about a visa:
- Find the official website first. Foreign ministries publish their embassies on their own domain, such as eda.admin.ch for Switzerland and bmeia.gv.at for Austria. Do not trust a site whose address looks similar but is spelled differently.
- Read the number from the contact page. Copy it from the embassy's own contact or footer section, not from a map panel, a directory or a social media post.
- Compare it with what Google shows. If the two numbers differ, use the one on the official site and treat the other as suspect.
- Check how appointments are really booked. Most Schengen embassies in Pakistan use an official visa centre such as VFS Global, or their own email. None of them sell appointment slots by phone.
- Never send money to a person. Visa fees are paid at the visa centre or through its official system, not to a private bank account or mobile wallet.
We saw the same pattern with a lookalike domain for Pakistan's own mission in Saudi Arabia. Our report on the fake Pakistan Embassy Riyadh website shows how a once real address was taken over.
Signs the caller is not the embassy
- They promise a visa or a "confirmed" appointment for a fee.
- They ask for payment to a personal account, a mobile wallet or a money transfer agent.
- They contact you on WhatsApp from a mobile number.
- They say the official visa centre is "closed" and only they can help.
- They pressure you to pay today before slots "run out".
Embassies do not guarantee visas. The Austrian Embassy states that each application is examined case by case and there is no legal right to a visa. Anyone who promises one is lying.
What to do if you already paid
- Stop all further payments and save the chat, call log and transfer receipt.
- Call your bank or wallet helpline at once and ask them to block the recipient account.
- File a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which now handles online fraud. Our guide to the NCCIA online complaint form explains the steps.
- Email the real embassy using the address on its official website and tell it which number scammed you, so it can report the listing.
- Report the wrong number on the Google listing with the "suggest an edit" option.
If you are applying for an Austrian visa, our full guide to the Austria visa from Pakistan covers the VFS process and documents.
Common questions
What is the correct phone number of the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad?
The embassy's own website gives +92 51 209 88 00 and asks people not to use the number shown in Google search.
What is the correct phone number of the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad?
The embassy's website gives +92 51 8770 700. Its address is 7 A, Street 21, F 8-2, Islamabad.
Can I buy an embassy visa appointment from an agent?
No. The Austrian Embassy says it does not work with intermediaries or agencies. Schengen appointments are booked through official visa centres or the embassy itself.
Is the phone number on Google Maps always right?
No. Map listings can be edited by the public, and two embassies have confirmed fake numbers on their Google listings. Always check the embassy's own website.
Where do I report a fake embassy caller in Pakistan?
Report it to the NCCIA, tell your bank or wallet, and email the real embassy from its official website.
Does paying more get me a visa faster?
No. The Austrian Embassy says each application is decided case by case, and neither embassy offers paid shortcuts by phone. Any extra service a visa centre sells is listed on its own official website.
Last checked 7 November 2026 against the Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan and Austrian Embassy Islamabad official websites.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
