There’s a study abroad offer that is too cost-effective for you to believe. You might have seen it in an ad, or someone might have told you about it. This isn’t where you should “go with the flow”. This is, in fact, a big red flag that requires the utmost attention from your side. The admission process seems inconsistent or vague? Here lies another red flag for you when you’re trying to apply for study abroad. You are going to say goodbye to your dream and financial resources if you’re not careful about these issues.  

Did you know that fraud cases related to study abroad applications have increased by 20% to 35% in the last four years? Most of the time, students get trapped because they want to accelerate everything. Other times, someone might benefit from your inclination toward a more affordable way to reach your goals. Whatever the trigger point might be, there are people who are always ready to scam you. That said, every student with a dream to study abroad should be careful.

This guide will explain the key warning signs of fraudulent study abroad offers you must know.

Top 5 Warning Signs of Fraudulent Study Abroad Offers

There are agents who will promise a “guaranteed” or “fast-track” visa in return for extra charges. Then, there are those who won’t provide you with the proper guidance regarding visa processing. You might be lured to a university or institution with no official website. Or even if there’s a website, it looks like an incomplete one. You might also face constant pressure to pay as soon as possible. These are clear red flags that scream “a big scam”.

Below are the top five warning signs of fraudulent study abroad offers:

1.      Unrealistic Fees

It’s not uncommon to look for cost-effective solutions, especially when you’re trying to complete your educational journey abroad. Managing finances can get really challenging. This is the reason why most students get trapped in the “low fees” trap. You might meet some agents who tell you about universities that charge very low in terms of tuition fees.

You might get enticed by the “full scholarship” or “deeply discounted tuition” in exchange for a seemingly small amount. The big difference between a legitimate program and a scam lies in the breakdown of the fee structure. A reliable institution will always be transparent about what it charges. A fraudster will always be evasive whenever you ask about pricing transparency.

2.      Vague Admission Process

You’ve applied to an institution abroad. After a surprisingly short time, you come to know that you’ve been granted admission. There’s no need to go through all those daunting steps in the name of an application process. Seems good? Yes. But, here’s the catch: Only a suspicious program will have no such requirements. It’s only scammers who won’t need you to fill out long forms.

It’s only they who will tell you that there’s no need to evaluate your previous educational records. Such institutions don’t have a clear or up-to-date course outline. Either there’s no semester-by-semester course plan or an incomplete one. The agents who promise you admission to such institutions won’t also be registered in the destination country.

3.      Unclear Visa Support

Another thing that benefits fraudsters is students’ lack of familiarity with the visa process of a relevant country. A new individual might not know which steps are involved in securing a study visa. This powers a fake agent’s agenda to scam them. Here’s what unclear visa support looks like:

·         Guaranteed or "fast-tracked" visas

·         No direct contact with officials

·         Third-party intermediaries

·         Fake or inconsistent documents

·         Ridiculously high fees for visa services

You will also not get satisfactory answers from them when inquiring about the whole visa process. They’ll either ditch your question or offer a vague response.

4.      No Official Website

Have you ever seen a credible educational institution without a robust online presence? Especially if it’s an international university or college? You must be aware of the “admission opportunity” for an institution which has no official website. Or if there’s a website, it might have the following problems:

·         Suspicious domain name

·         Low-quality site design

·         A number of errors

·         Vague or missing information

·         Lack of proper accreditation

You might also see a “Contact Us” or “Address” option on their site. The only problem is that you won’t be able to verify their contact details, and the address will be fake.

5.      Pressure to Pay

You’ll always find a scammer in a hurry. They’re always trying to rush things and get paid. There can be direct or indirect pressure to pay immediately. You might also be asked to pay a hefty upfront amount that’s non-refundable. Here’s how you can spot this pressure:

·         "Limited-time" or "last chance" offers

·         Request for large upfront payments

·         Unusual payment methods

·         Threats or intimidation:

·         No breakdown of fees

Any of the above factors tells you that you should stay away from such offers. A credible agent will never make you feel pressured when it comes to pay. You can contact certified education consultants in Islamabad to avoid these scams.

Be Aware of the Study Abroad Scams

You might come across a number of fake study abroad offers. These frauds can easily be spotted for obvious red flags. From unrealistic fees to a vague admission process and unclear visa support, there are several warning signs that you must be aware of. Contact a credible education consultant now if you want to secure your admission to a credible institution abroad.