Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) has warned that several parents and students have lost hundreds of thousands of rupees after falling victim to fraudulent social media advertisements promising admission to foreign universities.
In a statement, Sri Lanka CERT said such advertisements often claim that students can secure admission to overseas universities, obtain visas and work permits, and eventually qualify for citizenship in those countries.
“You may come across advertisements on social media claiming that students can gain admission to foreign universities, obtain visas to travel abroad, secure work permits for several years, and eventually even obtain citizenship in those countries,” the agency said.
Sri Lanka CERT warned that some of these advertisements are entirely fraudulent, although the information provided by those behind them may initially appear convincing.
“Some of these advertisements are completely fraudulent. When you call the telephone numbers provided in such advertisements, the information you receive may sound highly attractive and convincing,” it said.
According to the agency, scammers often pose as representatives of leading foreign universities and claim that students can secure admission by paying only a registration fee and the tuition fees for the first semester.
They may also tell prospective students that they can find employment after travelling overseas to cover accommodation and food expenses, while scholarships would be available for subsequent semesters.
Sri Lanka CERT said victims may also be asked to create an email account or join a WhatsApp group through which videos, photographs and other information relating to the purported university are shared.
“The scammers present this information so convincingly that it may be difficult to suspect that the videos and photographs have been copied or stolen from online sources. The documents provided for registration may also closely resemble genuine documents issued by the respective universities,” Sri Lanka CERT said.
The scammers may then provide details of foreign bank accounts and request victims to transfer registration fees and tuition payments, further creating the impression that the process is legitimate.
“After victims transfer hundreds of thousands of rupees as registration fees and tuition fees for the initial study period, the scammers disappear,” the agency warned.
Sri Lanka CERT urged students and parents not to fall victim to such online advertisements and advised them to deal only with legitimate university representatives operating through recognised and lawful channels.
The agency also urged the public to carefully verify the authenticity of all documents provided, as well as the bank account details supplied for payments, before carrying out any financial transaction.
