Sketchy Russian websites advertise easy resettlement in Hungary

There is an increasing number of Russian advertisements about Hungarian resettlement opportunities on the internet. Some of these advertisements give false hopes of some kind of state resettlement programme.

Portfolio reported about the upward trend of misleading Russian websites advertising a new, better life in Hungary. Of course, the Hungarian government does not offer any such type of programme. However, it is 100 percent legal to obtain a settlement license for lucrative purposes. Statistics show that a number of Russian citizens have already come to Hungary following these false promises, but mass migration is not yet the case.

The targeted people

The misleading advertisements usually target foreigners less familiar with the domestic situation in Hungary. The websites suggest that there is some kind of paid state scheme that could help foreigners obtain EU residency or long-term citizenship. This would obviously mean a free pass within the Schengen area. Some Russian articles promoting Hungary advertise the fact that you can travel visa-free to more than 150 countries with a Hungarian passport. What a tempting offer… Since 2017, there has been no golden visa-like paid state immigration option for wealthy foreigners who desire to settle in Hungary. These websites specifically target those vulnerable individuals who are frightened by the uncertainty caused by the Russian–Ukrainian conflict.

The money-grubbing scam

The Russian scams usually lead back to sketchy Russian companies with unidentified backgrounds, but some Hungarian money-seeker scammers might be connected as well. How do these scammers take the money unlawfully from innocent people? Mediators outline a great option for getting a Hungarian residency using the perks of the “residence permit that can be obtained for income”. The plan is usually buying two estates and then renting them out, to provide a permanent income. The mediators offer packages based on buying estates for 220-250 thousand euros. This sometimes includes the 20-60-thousand-euro agency fee for the mediator, but sometimes it comes as an extra expense. In the latter case, it is often misleadingly stated on the websites whether these are government costs or service fees.

False promises

Hungarian is a hard language. Victims of the scam sometimes sign loan agreements or buy overpriced houses. The victims are sometimes promised that they could bring their whole family with them. As the websites advertise this scam as a state programme backed by the Hungarian government, victims tend to think that there is some kind of guarantee for obtaining the residence permit. Scammers give false hopes about how long this process could take. Sometimes they promise just 8-12 months, but in fact it takes much longer. The Hungarian legal system and the practice of the authorities grant this kind of residence permit after eight years.