Study-Abroad / Exchange-Program Deposit Scam
A fake study-abroad or exchange program collects deposits and fees for placements, housing, or visas that don't exist.
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What this scam is
Students are offered study-abroad placements, internships abroad, or exchange programs and asked to wire deposits for tuition, housing, visas, or 'placement fees.' The program is fake or the fees are inflated for services never provided, and once you wire money, the organizers vanish. The excitement and complexity of going abroad are exploited. Verifying programs through your school's study-abroad office and avoiding wired deposits to unverified organizations are the defenses.
What it usually looks like
- A study-abroad/exchange offer requiring upfront deposits.
- Fees for placement, housing, or visas by wire.
- An organization your school can't verify.
- Pressure to secure your spot.
Common warning signs
- Wired deposits to unverified programs.
- Fees for placements/housing/visas before enrollment.
- Programs not affiliated with your school.
- Urgency and limited 'spots.'
Example wording scammers use
“Congratulations on your study-abroad placement! Wire the $1,500 housing deposit to secure your spot.”
“Pay the visa and placement fee to confirm your exchange semester.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Deposits/fees by wire.
- Your personal and passport data.
- To exploit study-abroad excitement.
What to do
- Verify any program through your school's study-abroad office.
- Avoid wiring deposits to organizations you can't confirm.
- Research the program's legitimacy and reviews.
- Handle visas through official government channels.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank about the wire immediately.
- Verify with your school; watch for misuse of passport data.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.