Avoid Scams After 12th

Why Students Are Targeted

Scammers target students because:

• Lack of experience with money and contracts
• Eagerness to earn quick money
• Pressure to get into "top" colleges
• Limited knowledge of legitimate opportunities

Common Scams Targeting Students

1. Fake Educational Institutes

Red Flags:

• Guaranteeing 100% placement
• Asking for full payment upfront
• No proper campus or infrastructure
• Not recognized by UGC/AICTE
• Pressure to enroll immediately

How to Check:

• Verify UGC/AICTE approval
• Search online reviews
• Visit campus before paying
• Ask for alumni contacts

2. Entrance Exam Scams

Red Flags:

• Websites with similar names to official exam portals
• "Guaranteed" admission through donation
• Fake scorecards
• People offering to "secure" seats

How to Check:

• Always use official website (.gov.in domain for government exams)
• Don't share OTP or personal details
• Verify fees on multiple sources

3. Job Offer Scams

Red Flags:

• "Work from home, earn 50,000/month"
• Asking for money to apply
• No interview but immediate selection
• Request for sensitive documents
• Promising visa/job abroad for fees

How to Verify:

• Check company website
• Never pay for job applications
• Verify visa consultants with embassy
• Google company name + "scam"

4. MLM/Pyramid Schemes

Red Flags:

• "Get rich quick" promises
• Need to recruit others to earn
• Large upfront investment
• Focus on recruitment, not product
• Dreams of luxury cars/homes in months

Examples: QNet, Vemma, Amway (aggressive recruitment), WorldVentures

How to Check:

• If you have to recruit to earn ? It's MLM
• If product is overpriced ? It's MLM
• Search name + "MLM scam"

5. Scholarship Scams

Red Flags:

• "You won a scholarship you didn't apply for"
• Request for processing fee
• Asking for bank details
• Deadline pressure to claim

How to Check:

• Legitimate scholarships never ask for fees
• Verify on official government portals
• Check National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

6. Trading/Investment Scams

Red Flags:

• "Guaranteed 30-50% returns monthly"
• Celebrity endorsements (deepfake videos)
• Telegram/WhatsApp groups with "tips"
• Pressure to invest more
• Can't withdraw money

How to Avoid:

• SEBI registered advisors only
• No guaranteed returns in stock market
• Be skeptical of celebrity endorsements
• Don't trade on unknown apps

Real Examples to Avoid

Fake Institute Example

"IIT XYZ" or "National Institute of..." with no official recognition

Placement Guarantee Example

"Pay ?50,000, guaranteed job at Microsoft"

Remote Job Example

"Data entry job, ?30,000/month, work 2 hours daily"

What to Do If Scammed

1. Stop all communication with scammer
2. Document everything (screenshots, emails, payment receipts)
3. Report to Cyber Crime (cybercrime.gov.in)
4. File complaint with police (local station)
5. Inform your bank (if money transferred)
6. Warn others (social media, family, friends)

Prevention Tips

• ? Verify before trusting: Check UGC/AICTE for colleges, SEBI for investments
• ? Don't pay for jobs: Legitimate employers pay YOU
• ? No processing fees for scholarships: Real scholarships are free
• ? If it sounds too good ? It's a scam
• ? Never share OTP: No one legit asks for it
• ? Use official websites: Look for .gov.in for government exams, .edu for verified institutions

Trusted Resources

• Cyber Crime Reporting: cybercrime.gov.in
• UGC Recognition: ugc.gov.in
• AICTE Approval: aicte-india.org
• SEBI Registered Advisors: sebi.gov.in

If you're unsure, ask parents or teachers. Don't make decisions under pressure. Stay safe.