Study-abroad or visa consultant selling fake admission letters or visas
A consultant promises admission abroad or a "guaranteed" visa, collects fees, and hands over admission letters or visas that turn out to be fake.
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How it works
- A study-abroad or visa consultant, often found through social media ads or WhatsApp, promises admission to a foreign college and a "guaranteed" student visa, and sometimes a job or permanent residence later.
- He asks you to pay his fee, the college fee and the visa fee into his own account, and then gives you an admission letter, fee receipt or visa that you never check with the college or the embassy yourself.
- The documents turn out to be fake, so you may lose the money and the year, or face refusal or removal when the other country checks them, sometimes even after you have arrived.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Study in Canada with 100% visa guarantee! No English test needed, low fees, part-time job and PR assured. Limited seats, pay Rs 50,000 today to block your admission. WhatsApp now.
Congratulations, your offer letter has come. Please transfer the first semester fee of Rs 6,80,000 to our company account and we will pay the college. Don't email the college directly, it delays the process.
Red flags
- "Guaranteed" admission or visa
- College fee paid to the agent's account
- Told not to contact the college yourself
- Promise of a job or permanent residence
- Pressure to pay today to "block a seat"
The one question to ask
Have you confirmed the admission with the college itself, using contact details from its official website?
Already paid or shared details?
Call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, or at your local police station, with the agent's details, chats, receipts and the documents he gave you. Write to the college from the address on its official website to check whether your admission is real, and do not travel on a letter or visa you have doubts about. If you are already abroad, contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Agent who places you in an unrecognised college or course
- "Complete package" of admission, visa, housing and job, all paid to the agent