The scams that target international students in the UK — and how to spot them

International students are targeted by scammers deliberately, and it is worth being honest about why: you are new to the country, may be less familiar with how UK institutions actually operate, and are often carrying significant funds for fees and living costs. Fraudsters know this. The good news is that almost every one of these scams relies on you not recognising it — so recognising it is the whole defence.

The fake authority call

You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the police, the Home Office, immigration, or even your embassy. They tell you there is a problem with your visa, a parcel, or a legal case, and that you must pay a fee or transfer money immediately to avoid arrest or deportation. It can be frighteningly convincing. Here is the rule that protects you: no UK authority — police, Home Office, HMRC, or embassy — will ever phone you and demand an immediate payment or threaten instant arrest. Ever. If you get a call like this, hang up. You have done nothing wrong by hanging up on a scammer.

Virtual kidnapping

This is a particularly cruel scam, and it has affected students at major UK universities. Fraudsters convince a student that they or their family are in danger, and pressure them into hiding, cutting contact, and getting their parents back home to pay a 'ransom' — when no one has actually been taken. It works by isolating the student and creating panic. The protection is simple and worth deciding in advance: if anyone ever tells you to cut contact with your family or the police, that instruction alone is the warning sign. Real authorities never do that.

Accommodation and deposit fraud

A flat that looks perfect, a landlord who needs a deposit wired now to 'hold' it, and then silence. Never transfer money for accommodation you have not seen through a proper, verifiable process, and use your institution's accommodation office and recognised platforms wherever you can.

Fake fee payments and 'agents'

Offers to pay your tuition at a discount through a third party, or requests to route fees through an unofficial 'agent' account, are routes to losing your money. Pay fees only through your institution's official channels.

The single habit that protects you

Across all of these, one habit does most of the work: pause, and verify independently. Any message creating urgency and fear, and pushing you to act right now and alone, deserves a pause. Hang up, then call the organisation back on a number you find yourself. Tell a friend. Scammers rely on speed and isolation — slowing down and involving someone else breaks the whole thing.

This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world capability we build into UK Ready — not just a warning to be careful, but knowing precisely what these scams look like and what to do, before you ever encounter one.

Know your bearing.