How To Protect Students Studying Abroad From Scams
Help students living overseas stay safe from accommodation, visa, and money-transfer scams that target people far from home.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Studying abroad is exciting, but students living overseas face a specific set of scam risks: fake accommodation listings, visa-fee fraud, bogus job offers, and emergency money requests that target their distance from family. Being new to a city, unfamiliar with local norms, and eager to settle in quickly can all make it harder to spot when something isn't right. A few simple habits — verifying before paying, keeping in regular contact with home, and knowing who to call in an emergency — make a significant difference.
Accommodation scams
In university cities with high demand and short lead times, scammers post attractive rental listings for properties they don't own or that don't exist, using photos copied from genuine listings elsewhere. They create urgency by claiming other students are also interested, then ask for a deposit or first month's rent to be wired before the student has arrived to view the property or sign a proper contract. Because international bank transfers are hard to reverse, the money is usually gone the moment it's sent. The safest approach is to never pay a deposit for accommodation that hasn't been viewed in person or by a trusted local contact, and to use the university's official accommodation office or listing service wherever possible.
- Never pay a deposit on accommodation you haven't viewed in person or via a verified video call
- Use university-recommended or reputable letting agencies
- Verify landlord identity through official channels
- Be cautious of deals that seem too cheap for the area
Visa and immigration scams
Fraudsters targeting students often pose as immigration consultants, visa agencies, or even university international offices, offering to 'fast-track' or guarantee a visa application in exchange for a fee, when in reality the application should be filed directly with the official government portal at no extra cost. A related version sends a panicked message claiming there's a problem with the student's visa status that requires an urgent payment to resolve, relying on the fear of losing study or residency rights to override caution. Genuine immigration authorities communicate through official channels and case reference numbers, not urgent unsolicited calls demanding payment. Students should verify any visa concern directly through their university's international student office before responding to or paying anyone.
- Use only official government portals for visa applications
- Be sceptical of unsolicited offers to 'sort your visa' for a fee
- A genuine immigration issue will be communicated in writing by official channels
Emergency and money-transfer scams
Being far from home makes both students and their families more vulnerable to emergency scams, because a claim can't easily be checked in person. One version has a scammer contact the family, claiming the student has been detained, hospitalised, or is in trouble and needs money sent immediately and privately. Another targets the student directly, impersonating a relative in a crisis. Both rely on distance and panic to stop anyone from pausing to verify. Before the student even leaves home, agree a family safe word that any genuine emergency message must include, and a firm rule that any urgent money request gets a call-back to a known number first — no exceptions, even if the story sounds convincing or the caller says there's no time.
- Agree a family safe word for emergencies before travelling
- Rule: no family member will ask for money without a verified call
- Establish a regular check-in schedule so genuine emergencies are obvious
Conversation script
“Before you go, let's agree a safe word so we know it's really each other in an emergency.”
“If anyone — even someone who sounds like me — asks for money urgently, hang up and call me on this number first.”
“And if anything feels off where you are — housing, someone asking for fees — message me and we'll look it up together.”
Frequently asked questions
My student has already paid a deposit on a fake flat — what now?
Contact their bank immediately to report an unauthorised or fraudulent payment and ask about chargeback options. Report to the local police and the university's international student support team, who often have experience with this.
How do I know if a visa adviser is legitimate?
In the UK, regulated immigration advisers must be registered with the OISC. In other countries, check the official government immigration website for approved channels. When in doubt, go direct to the official government portal.