Beware of Fraud Study Abroad Counselling Agents

With more and more Indian students opting to study abroad for higher education, every day the number of scams related to it are also coming forward. As the students are not aware of the complex process of studying abroad, they are easily targeted by the fraud agents. Not only people living in smaller towns but even young people living in metro cities are a vulnerable target of these agents. In case you are not aware of these scamsters, you can read about various fraud instances by study abroad agents. In order to avoid this kind of situation, in this article, we will inform you about how fraud agents and scamsters can cheat you and how you can stay alert and not get trapped in their dishonest schemes.

Common types of fraud include:

• Agents send students to non-recognized universities. Make sure to check that the university/college you are applying to is a recognized institution by the concerned authority of that country.
• Many a times the agents submit fake academic or bank documents to embassy/college leading to blacklisting of that candidate later on.
• Always check the validity or accreditation of the course you are applying to. Check whether you will be getting a valid degree and whether you will be able to get a permanent job after completing your studies or not.
• Guaranteed Visa: Never fall prey to fraud agents by giving them money in exchange for guaranteed admission or visa. Agents make false claims to students that they can assure visas to them with their links in the embassy. Here, aspirants should know that the Embassy of the concerned country is the only authority that can issue a visa (Student Visa) to students and no agent can do that.
• Always check all necessary details related to fee, accommodation or on-campus work and other facilities on the official website of the college/university and don’t go simply by what the agents are claiming. Agents can misguide students about all these details.
• Beware of agents who promise guaranteed admission as officially they are not authorised to provide admissions to students. It is always the admissions committee that is selected by the college/university that has the authority to give admission or reject the application. Also, note that universities always inform the students about the status of their application whether accepted or rejected.

Whenever you receive a call from a study abroad counsellor, ask for the following:

• Generally smaller or fake study abroad consultants/agents mislead students claiming to be a representative of an established study abroad consultant/ agent. Beware of such fraud agents and remember to check their credentials before enrolling for their services.
• Before enrolling for the counselling services, check the reviews, testimonials, and ratings of the agency you will be applying through. Many students feel stuck after paying upfront money to their agents and are not satisfied with their agents’ services.
• What is the name of their parent company? How long have they been in this business? How many successful cases have they processed?
• Generally speaking, paying money to agents for ancillary services is not a good idea e.g. some agents charge students for sending transcripts at a cheaper rate. However, they charge more than their cost and pocket the difference as their profit.