International Student Scams: A Guide Reviewing Approaches To Avoiding Scams Targeted At International Students
Introduction An increasing number of scammers and fraudsters are targeting prospective international students who aspire to study in the U.S. With more confusion being added to the mix because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulent schemes designed to trick undergraduate/postgraduate students, as well as their parents are on the rise.
Knowing how to stay safe can go a long way in ensuring the safety of such students from such schemes as they embrace a new phase of their lives. In the upcoming slides, we will review some of the most common scams to spread awareness.
Most Common Scams Fake Visa Scams
Housing Fraud
Fake Scholarship Scams
Money Mule Spam & Scams
Fake Visa Scams In these types of scams, students generally receive phone calls or spam emails from people claiming to be associated with immigration enforcement entities, education agencies, and other organizations. They may scare the student by stating that their documentation has grave errors, which might lead to rejection of their visa requests. They will ask them to pay a fine in order to ensure that their student visa is approved. However, they may make a run for it after getting the victim’s money.
Fake Scholarship Scams Most overseas students apply for scholarships as studying abroad can be expensive. However, there are a lot of fake scholarship schemes doing the rounds. Such scammers demand application fees or even ensure you scholarships from entities that don’t even exist. Therefore, it is extremely important to review the authenticity of such organizations before applying for their scholarships.
Housing Fraud One of the topmost concerns of students hoping to study abroad is finding affordable housing. Given the demand for student rentals, fraudsters often ride on the anxieties of students to make a quick buck. While looking for student housing, there is a high chance that you may come across fraudulent and fake listings, as well as spam emails promoting spaces with hard-to-believe price tags. If you show interest in the listing, the scammer may ask you for a small broker fee to lock in the property for your viewing. However, once you arrive, you may realize that you have been scammed. There have also been instances wherein scammers have made fake websites that look similar to rental property websites in a bid to steal the financial information of students.
Money Mule Spam & Scams In these cases, people approach students and request them to transfer money on their behalf in return for a small percentage of the sum. This is illegal as criminals often resort to such tactics to move stolen money around. To avoid getting entangled in such scams, make sure that you do not entertain spam emails that ask you to engage in such transactions. Report such spammy behavior ASAP.
Thank You! Presented & Reviewed By: Ashif Abbasi, Manager, Education 2.0 Conference
https://www.education2conf.com/