The dream of studying abroad is the ambition of many bright and deserving South African students seeking to reach new academic heights, experience cultural immersion, and pursue the chance to build a future internationally. Yet this aspiration can very easily come crashing down as a result of scammers who exploit ambition with sophisticated, fraudulent schemes that can drain finances and shatter hopes.
“For students and their families, navigating this terrain demands caution, diligence, and a sharp eye for deception. While pursuing safe and legitimate opportunities can make dreams come true, prospective students must enter with extreme caution, with the understanding that the field is flooded with scammers and fraudsters,” warns Dr Linda Meyer, MD of IIE Rosebank College in South Africa and President of Rosebank International University College in Ghana.
“Scammers cast a wide net across all logistical touch points of international study, using tactics that prey on students’ eagerness for international education and adventure. Unfortunately, the consequences of these scams cut deep, and can have a lifelong impact,” she says.
Financially, victims stand to lose thousands of rands to fake scholarships, accommodation deposits, or visa fees – money often scraped together through family sacrifices. Emotionally, the betrayal erodes confidence, leaving students hesitant to pursue legitimate opportunities.
“Enrolling in unaccredited institutions can lead to worthless qualifications, derailing academic and career goals, while stolen personal information risks identity theft, the consequences of which can haunt victims for years,” Dr Meyer says.
Certain groups face heightened risks: students from rural areas or low-income households, where access to reliable information is scarce, are prime targets, as are those with limited experience navigating higher education systems. Urban hubs like Gauteng and the Western Cape also see heavy scam activity due to their large student populations.
Some of the study abroad scam tactics to look out for include:
- Impersonation of universities or immigration officials
Scammers pose as representatives of foreign institutions or authorities, using fake websites or emails to demand payments for visas or application fees.
- Fake scholarship offers requiring upfront fees
Fraudsters promise full scholarships but require “processing fees”, disappear after payment is made.
- Too-good-to-be-true admission promises
Offers of guaranteed entry to prestigious universities with minimal requirements often pressure students to pay quickly.
- Fraudulent accommodation listings demanding deposits
Scammers post fake rental ads for student housing abroad, collecting deposits for non-existent properties.
- Social engineering using personal details
Fraudsters gather personal information from social media to craft convincing, tailored scams.
“Scammers are relentless, using a range of tactics to target eager students. We see fake institutions created through AI platforms, with websites that look very convincing. These sites often claim accreditation from bodies like the South African Qualifications Authority, which doesn’t accredit institutions abroad. Other scams promise expedited visas or housing at so-called universities, only for scammers to vanish after collecting hefty deposits – sometimes hundreds of thousands of rands.”
VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY
Verify through official channels: Contact embassies to confirm an institution’s legitimacy.
Use South African resources: The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Council on Higher Education (CHE) verify credentials of local and international institutions. Ensure programmes or universities are accredited for qualifications that hold value.
Check official university websites: Don’t access the university website through links or URLs provided. Go directly to the source from your browser. Also, look for domains like .edu or .ac.uk to find legitimate contact details. Always contact institutions directly using details from their official websites, and avoid phone numbers or emails provided by third parties.
Get support from your current higher education institution or alma mater: A reputable institution must be able to support you in your overseas study investigations.
SUPPORT
If you fall victim to a scam, support is available. Report scams to the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) or to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Banks may reverse transactions if contacted swiftly, and the National Consumer Commission can assist with disputes.
The government has made strides by shutting down unregistered colleges and promoting awareness through SAFPS, but scammers’ cross-border operations and untraceable payment methods pose challenges. Stronger international cooperation and broader public education are needed to tighten the net.
“For students chasing international education, the path forward is clear but requires effort. Research institutions thoroughly, using official accreditation bodies. Apply only through trusted channels such as university websites, embassies, or DHET-approved agents,” Dr Meyer says.
“If an offer seems too good to be true or demands urgent action, it’s likely a scam. In that case, pause, verify, and report. Studying abroad is a transformative opportunity, but it’s one you must protect with vigilance and wisdom to turn your dreams into reality.”
ENDS