The CBI Chaos: Industry Scams and a Completely Different Perspective

Hello everyone.

In our previous installments regarding Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, we covered two critical topics:

● The Blacklist: Fraudulent programs you must avoid at all costs.

● The Grey Area: Navigating Ambiguous Citizenship by Investment Programs (And How We Once Got Fooled)

Today, in part three, I want to expose some of the dangerous and chaotic practices currently plaguing the CBI market. More importantly, I want to share a completely different, much more profound perspective on what these programs actually mean to people globally.

Chaos #1: The "No Police Clearance Required" Trap

Lately, as I’ve been spending more time on social media, I keep encountering a terrifying type of advertisement. The pitch usually goes like this: "Get a Vanuatu passport—No Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) required!" I see this plastered across various platforms, and frankly, it is incredibly alarming.

First, bypassing a criminal background check should never be advertised as a "selling point."

Second, it is a blatant lie. I am highly familiar with the Vanuatu program, and I can confirm with absolute certainty that under their legal framework, a clean police clearance certificate is strictly mandatory. The same applies to newer programs, like the one in São Tomé and Príncipe. I have personally met the developers of that program. In fact, their Director of Immigration attended our Globevisa Global Citizenship Conference (GGCC) in Singapore last year. I asked him directly, and he confirmed that a criminal background check is an absolute prerequisite.

So, how are so many agents claiming you don't need one?

The dark reality is that some unethical agents are simply forging police clearance certificates on behalf of their clients.

When I realized this, I was horrified. For an agency to fabricate a legal background check is a severe criminal offense. I cannot fathom how anyone could be so reckless.

For the applicant, my advice is simple: never touch these offers. Even if the agent creates the fake document for you, you are the ultimate beneficiary. When the fraud is eventually uncovered—whether at a border crossing or during a retroactive audit—you will be heavily implicated. The legal consequences are far more severe than you can imagine.

People pursue CBI programs to secure a reliable "Plan B." Why would you build your Plan B on a foundation of criminal fraud? It is like deciding to secure your retirement by handing all your savings to an illegal loan shark. That is not a Plan B; that is a disaster waiting to happen. Never cross the red line of document forgery.

Chaos #2: Illegal "Discounts" on Caribbean Programs

The second major issue involves illegal price discounting among the Caribbean CBI programs.

You might notice wildly varying prices quoted online. Take Dominica, for example. If you look at the statutory law, the official minimum investment threshold is strictly set at $200,000. That is the legal baseline. If an agent tells you that you don't need to invest the full amount, or offers a "discounted" rate, they are operating illegally.

This ties back to a historic industry shift—the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Caribbean nations in 2024, which strictly standardized pricing across the region. I am very familiar with these Caribbean nations; most of their Directors of Citizenship attended our GGCC in Singapore, and we had in-depth, one-on-one discussions. The unified baseline is absolute: the exact legal investment amount must be remitted in full.

To understand the severity of this, look at what happened in early 2025. St. Kitts and Nevis audited their files and identified over 200 clients who had not paid the full, legally required investment amount (often due to illicit discounting by agents). The government issued an ultimatum: pay the outstanding balance within a month, or the passports would be officially revoked.

The Caribbean nations are facing immense pressure from the US and the EU to uphold strict due diligence. Consequently, they are enforcing their laws strictly—including mandatory interviews, in-person passport collection, and rigorous financial audits.

The absolute bottom line is this: You must pay the exact, official investment amount. Any scheme asking you to pay less will end disastrously. The most likely outcome is the summary revocation of your citizenship. As an industry professional, I urge you to stay away from these "discount" schemes. There is absolutely no reason to jeopardize your global mobility by engaging in illicit financial shortcuts.

A Completely Different Perspective: Who Are These Programs Really For?

Moving beyond the chaos, I want to share a deeper realization. My perspective on the fundamental purpose of CBI programs has shifted dramatically over the years.

Years ago, people might have casually wondered: Who exactly is buying these passports? My understanding of that answer has completely evolved, largely because Globevisa expanded into the Middle Eastern market a few years ago.

The true heart of the global CBI market is not in Asia; it is in the Middle East and surrounding regions. Until you understand the history and daily reality of these areas, you cannot grasp the true value of a second citizenship.

Recently, I had a scheduled weekly meeting with Walid, our partner in Lebanon. He had to cancel it. I didn't even have the heart to ask him why, because the news clearly showed that the country was engulfed in conflict. I remember when the fighting first escalated, I simply messaged him to ask, "How are you?"

He replied, "Henry, you have to understand that I have spent half my life living in the midst of war. When you ask me 'How are you?', I honestly don't know how to answer." It is hard to articulate the heaviness of that moment.

Think about Syria. Think about Yemen. Think about the millions of people who are effectively stateless or whose passports are virtually useless on the global stage.

Just last week, Hani, our consultant in Indonesia, signed a client from Brunei for the Nauru CBI program. The client was stateless. Why are there stateless people in Brunei? A quick look at their history and patrilineal citizenship laws explains it—citizenship is generally only passed down through the father. This leaves many children born to female citizens completely stateless. How are they supposed to navigate life?

We provided a solution through the Nauru CBI program. Last year, Nauru's Director of Immigration, Edward, attended our GGCC event. He is a fantastic individual who loves hiking in Hong Kong, and he was arguably the most popular official there. We discussed this exact issue, and he explicitly stated that Nauru’s program was designed, in part, to offer a viable lifeline and legal identity to stateless individuals.

If you look at the world solely from the perspective of someone living in a stable, privileged nation, you might take your passport for granted. But step outside that bubble, and you realize how terrifying the world can be without a recognized identity. Like our partners in Lebanon, or the people in Palestine—what passports are they supposed to use to travel, trade, or escape danger?

I also recall a conversation with our partner in Turkey. He asked me, "Do you know what it takes for a Turkish citizen to get a Schengen visa?" He explained that they have to book an appointment four months in advance, and even if approved, the visa is often only valid for two weeks. You must travel immediately, or it expires. It is an incredibly restrictive and frustrating reality.

A Second Chance at Life

There is often a public stigma surrounding Citizenship by Investment, framing it merely as a luxury for the ultra-wealthy. I no longer view it that way.

The world is far more complex and fragile than many of us realize. When you look past your own borders and see the realities of war, statelessness, and systemic restriction, you see the tragic human stories left in their wake.

For these individuals, CBI programs are not a luxury. They are a profound solution to fundamental life barriers. These programs offer them a second chance—a tangible opportunity to reclaim their freedom, secure their families, and rewrite their destinies.

This is my new truth regarding CBI. I used to share the mainstream skepticism, but as we expanded globally and truly engaged with these markets, I saw firsthand the hope and security these programs bring to countless families worldwide.

That concludes today's insights. If you are interested in exploring strictly compliant global mobility programs, feel free to leave a message.

Thank you.