{"id":2454,"date":"2025-10-27T15:21:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okajak.com\/?p=2454"},"modified":"2025-10-27T15:55:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:55:01","slug":"scams-in-your-dms-how-frauders-use-instagram-tiktok-and-telegram-to-target-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okajak.com\/en\/articles\/scams-in-your-dms-how-frauders-use-instagram-tiktok-and-telegram-to-target-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Scams in your DMs: how frauders use Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram to target students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many students believe that educational opportunities on social media are a shortcut to success \u2014 a scholarship here, an early admission there. In reality, there are many scammers that want to make use of them. In this article, we present you common educational scams, real-world examples, and concrete advice, especially for Turkmen students.<\/p>\n

Types of Educational Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some of the common scams specifically related to education:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scam Type<\/strong><\/td>\nHow it works<\/strong><\/td>\nWhy students fall for it<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
Fake Scholarship Offers<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\nScammers send messages or posts promising full or large partial scholarships, often via Instagram, TikTok, or Telegram. They may ask for a \u201cprocessing fee,\u201d or claim you need to pay to get your documents verified.<\/td>\nThis can be an attractive educational opportunity for students. They act without proper checks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
University admission guarantee<\/strong><\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
Someone promises admission to a university (sometimes abroad) in exchange for money, without legitimate exams or selection criteria. They may provide forged acceptance letters.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\nThe pressure to secure admission (especially abroad) can override caution; many don\u2019t realize how to verify whether the offer is genuine.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
Impersonated Institutions or Agent Scams<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
Individuals impersonate official agents, admissions officers, or even educational institutions. They contact students directly via DMs or Telegram, offering help in exchange for fees.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
Complex admission rules, and desperation can make students trust people who seem \u201cofficial.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fake Scholarship <\/strong>Appplication Fees<\/strong><\/td>\nIt is real that some universities require application fees, but these fees are always listed on official websites of the universities. There are scam emails pretending to be from universities that you need to pay fees and include fake links to steal your personal information.<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
Sometimes email presentation gives credibility; students think small fees are normal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Real cases and examples<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are documented cases that show this is not a theoretical threat.<\/p>\n