We've been made aware of a sophisticated new fraud targeting Indian students.
*UPDATE: This news story was reposted on Thursday 8 March 2018.*
De Montfort Students' Union (DSU)'s Advice team have been made aware of recent reports of attempted telephone fraud, usually targeting Indian students.
A student may receive a call from someone who says they work for an organisation such as the Home Office, or the police, or Crimestoppers. The caller may appear genuine and the incoming number may appear to be a genuine number.
The caller may say that there is a problem with your visa, and they may ask you to pay a fine immediately. Or they may ask you to post your passport, BRP or cash to them. A student may be told that they will be visited by a government official.
Please remember that the Home Office, police or other government department, will NEVER call an international student to request payment, or ask for personal details in this way.
They will also NEVER ask you to send money, or your passport, or your BRP.
If you receive such a call;
- DO NOT give the caller any personal information, and do not confirm that any information they have is correct;
- DO NOT make any payment, either over the phone, by post or by money transfer (such as through Western Union, for example).
Please contact the university's International Student Support team or our Advice team, if you receive a call like this, or have any concerns.
If you wish, you could report the call to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online.
More information about this, and about what to do if you receive this type of call, is available from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
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