Lately, a new Guatemala programme has been touted to agents and prospective second citizens. It is just one of the many programmes out there offering empty promises of new beginnings to its prospective clients.
The Guatemala scheme purports to sell a whole new identity to applicants wanting to become citizens of this Central American country. The offer is for a “new identity with a Latin name,” so long as the client is happy to receive a passport stating that he or she was born in Guatemala.
The proposition is a clear attempt at defrauding applicants. It is also geared towards applicants who are so concerned with their personal safety that they are considering a change of name, or, worst, illicit actors wishing to hold completely different identities.
Unfortunately, this programme is but one of the myriad of illegal programmes
Unfortunately, this programme is but one of the myriad of illegal programmes trying to manipulate the vulnerable, and worse, helping criminals escape their past. Therefore, it is critical to choose a programme that is run under government laws and regulations, not only for the applicant’s safety, but also for the wellbeing of the entire industry.
For a quick and simple guide to identifying legitimate citizenship programmes, please read our first edition of Spotting the fakes.