Fraud cases targeting university students on the rise: Regina police

Over the past month, police in Regina have seen a rise in fraud cases, specifically a tuition scam targeting university students.

According to the Regina Police Service, the scammer fraudulently promises discounted tuition fees.

Read More:

• Police seek suspect in alleged romance scam that cost victims $275k
• Peavey Mart warns of fake websites, accounts imitating brand as stores close
• ‘Grandparent scam’ returns again to Saskatoon, police say

“Scammers pose as intermediaries claiming they can offer reduced tuition rates in exchange for an upfront payment,” the police service explained in a statement.

“The scammer receives the tuition money, then ‘pays’ the educational institution using fraudulent credit cards.”

The victims walk away thinking their tuition has been paid, police said, until they get a notice from the institution saying there’s been an issue with the payment.

“To date, this fraud has affected 23 victims and the financial loss exceeds $125,000,” the police service said.

In order to avoid falling victim to such a scam, the police service advised residents to protect their personal information and never provide passwords or login information to anyone.

It’s also important to remember that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

“No one is going to pay your bills for the full amount and provide you a discount,” the police service said.

“If someone is offering you something on behalf of another company/educational institute, go to the source. Ask that institution/company if they have a relationship/agreement with that intermediary.”

Anyone who has been a victim of a scam should be cautious of “recovery” schemes, which may be another scammer connected to the original perpetrator, promising to recover lost funds in exchange for a fee.

“If you believe you are a victim or suspect someone is trying to defraud you, contact police immediately at 306-777-6500,” the police service said.