Fraud prevention for International Students

The international student community are significantly targeted by fraudsters. Let's take you through the different types of fraud affecting international students, what to do to protect yourself and what to do if you're a victim.

Accommodation Fraud

Accommodation fraud happens when criminals trick you into paying for a property that doesn't exist or doesn't belong to them. They might advertise on various websites and social media, often using attractive prices, convenient locations, and professional-looking photos, reviews, and contact details. Due to high demand, they might also create pressure and ask for upfront fees before any viewing to "secure" the property. 

To avoid this, make sure you:

✅ Always view accommodation in person

✅ Check website contact details and addresses

✅ Check the Companies House

✅ Look out for clone or copycat sites

✅ Reverse-image search accommodation photos

Purchasing online essay writing/exam papers

We understand that students might be tempted to buy essays or exam papers due to study pressure, but criminals exploit this. You may pay and receive nothing, or they may threaten to report you to your university unless you send them more money.

To avoid this, make sure you:

• Don't use essay writing services or try to purchase exam papers
• Know that not only is this unethical, but these services are often advertised by fraudsters

Investment fraud

Fraudsters can offer "quick profit" investment opportunities in exchange for money or cryptocurrency. These are often advertised on social media, via messages, or phone calls, and might be presented as time-sensitive.

What to know:

• Seek independent financial advice before investing
• There are no get-rich-quick schemes
• Check the FCA Investment Checker

Romance fraud

Romance fraud occurs when a criminal contacts you online through social media, chat rooms or dating apps and builds a false relationship. They manipulate you into believing you're friends or romantically involved, then ask for money, usually supported by a sympathetic but fictional story - such as a medical emergency, delayed wages or even travel costs.

Sexually motivated extortion

Criminals use dating apps, social media, text or email to manipulate victims into sharing sexual images or videos, then demand payment or threaten to expose them to friends, family, or the public.

If this happens:

• Cut contact immediately and block the user
• Do not pay any money, and do not send any further images or videos
• Save any messages to help trace the criminals
• Report it to the police

Financial exploitation

Criminals may ask you to receive money into your bank account, then transfer it to another bank account, allowing you to keep a percentage of the funds. The money they are asking you to transfer will often come from other crimes. Although it is presented as "risk-free" income, this is money laundering - a serious crime that can lead to arrest, frozen accounts, or even removal from the UK.

To avoid this:

✅ Never transfer money on behalf of someone else

✅ Always question unsolicited job offers

✅ Keep your bank account details secure and private

Cyber kidnaps

Fraudsters use online accounts such as WeChat and other messaging or social media platforms to contact your friends and family, claiming to be holding you hostage and demanding a ransom. In other cases, they post as officials and tell you you're in trouble with the authorities and ask for payment. They can also compromise your accounts to steal your identity or hold your photos, files and information for ransom.

What to do:

• Contact the police in the UK if threats like this are made
• Avoid sharing personal information publicly online - review your privacy settings to ensure you're only sharing with people you know
• Ask questions only known to the real person to verify legitimacy
• Secure your online accounts using strong passwords and two-step verification

What to do if you're a victim of fraud 💭

Further support ❤️

Victim Support | 0808 168 9111

University Support:

• The Chinese International Students Wellbeing Centre
• The Indian National Students Association (INSA)
• The UK Council for International Student Affairs

More information about preventing fraud and cybercrime can be found on the Metropolitan Police website.