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
Fake rental listings are common in university cities. Scammers advertise properties they don't own and ask for deposits or rent before the student can view them. Never transfer money for accommodation you haven't seen or verified through a trusted channel.
- 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 pose as immigration advisers or official agencies, charging fees for visa applications that should be filed directly, or creating panic with fake 'visa problem' messages.
- 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
Scammers contact students claiming to be a family member in trouble, or contact families claiming the student needs urgent money. Agree a family safe word and a call-back rule before the student travels.
- 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.