The Ugly Side: International Student Scams

Indian students are no strangers to falling prey to scams either at home or abroad. With the onset of the internet, everyone has access to the internet, emails and online payments hence scams are easily committed. Nowadays scams are so professionally executed, that it has become extremely difficult to notice between truth and scam.  

Recently, a prominent and seasoned Indian media personality was scammed unknowingly by professional scam artists who posed as the recruitment managers for one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Harvard University. Thankfully due to quick action after several doubts, she was made aware of the scam.  

Indian students in search of internationally recognized degrees who choose to study abroad must be careful of several scams found online. Deciding to study abroad is a vulnerable decision however you must be extremely cautious at all times and with everyone.  

Look out for the following danger signs:  

1. Calls from “VISA officials” 

All students who apply to study abroad must have a valid visa. While the visa application process may seem like a daunting task, visa officials are accommodating to all students to ensure that their documents are in order.

Scammers will contact students claiming to be a “VISA official”. They will notify the student that there are problems with the applications and request payment of a fine. After asking students for their personal details they will then request that fines be paid via any international money transfer facility, crypto-currency, or vouchers.

If you receive a call like this, do not confirm any personal details, do not transfer money, and threaten to report them to the nearest police if they continue to call you. Call your overseas educational consultant and seek immediate help.  

REMEMBER: A visa official will never contact you demanding money or vouchers! 

2. Employment Scams 

Have you heard of identity theft? Identity theft is real and often students unknowingly get caught up in such a scam. A scammer can clone your entire identity and digital footprint. 

Most international students are allowed to work for a minimal number of hours to earn extra cash while studying away from home.

Scammers will post jobs for students online or on bulletin boards in public areas requesting that students apply with several personal documents. However, at most times those jobs do not exist, however, after application, scammers now have access to copies of the student’s personal details and can steal their identity to open accounts and create fake profiles. This can land you in serious trouble.

When applying for a job, make sure, at all times, that the organization is a reputable one. The best way to find a job is through your peers who have already worked in such organizations without any danger.  

REMEMBER: Find a job through reputable companies only! 

3. Scholarship Scams 

Studying abroad is expensive for Indian students and being awarded a scholarship is welcoming. With millions of students around the world, searching for scholarships online on a daily basis, scammers have created several scholarship scams. 

Scammers will create lucrative scholarships offering all-inclusive expenses making the deal extremely desirable. After application by submitting all personal and educational documents, scammers will request an administration fee which is often a large amount of money. Once a sincere student unknowingly pays the “admin fee” the scammer is no longer reachable.  

REMEMBER: Scholarships are free. You will never be asked to pay an application or admin fee for a bursary.  

4. Student Housing Scams  

Proper accommodation abroad is important and scammers will use this to their advantage. Scammers will rent a property and advertise the property for students only. They will show the students around and once the student agrees, they will ask for a deposit and a month or two months of advance rent. They will hand over the keys after payment.

When students arrive at the property on moving day they find that the keys do not work and the scammer is no longer available. The best way to avoid this scam is to ensure that you always rent a place to stay from a reputable renting agency or person. Never pay a deposit for a place that you have never seen and never transfer money to a landlord that claims to be living abroad. When responding to adverts, make sure the numbers are landlines and avoid adverts with email addresses only.  

REMEMBER:  Never pay the deposit first. Move in first.  

5. Money Mules 

All students studying abroad will look for lucrative opportunities to earn extra money abroad. Be aware of scammers who approach foreign students to be money mules. You would be approached by “respectful” looking men or women who will ask to use your bank account to transfer money to a relative or buyer abroad. They would then, in return, offer to pay you large sums of money to use your bank account.

These scammers are money launders and they will use your bank account to move stolen money around. Be very wary of this as it can cause you deep trouble. You will become a suspect in criminal activity and can lose your student visa and get deported to your home country. Ignore any emails where people approach you to use your bank account and should you receive any unsuspected funds into your bank account, contact your bank immediately.  

REMEMBER: Money mules are illegal and will be arrested. Never accept money for or engage in these activities.  

These are only a few of the thousands of scams that target students. You are responsible to protect yourself from these scams.  

REMEMBER:  

• Never trust anyone who offers you money in exchange for any activity that seems illegal.  
• When in doubt, do not engage.  
• Report suspicious activities at all times.  

 Important Numbers:  

United States of America: Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line 866-DHS-2-ICE 

United Kingdom: Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 

Canada: Royal Canadian Mounted Police on 1-888-495-8501 

Australia: Scam Watch, Australian Tax Office, Police or University