{
  "id": 13294300,
  "title": "CERT: Beware of foreign Uni. scams on social media",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/cert-beware-of-foreign-uni-scams-on-social-media",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:05:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/cert-beware-of-foreign-uni-scams-on-social-media/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Centre for Cyber Security (CERT) has issued a warning about an alarming scam targeting individuals looking to study at foreign universities through social media platforms. According to a recent press release, Sri Lanka CERT has received numerous complaints from parents and students who have been defrauded of hundreds of thousands of rupees. Scammers are using social media to advertise fake opportunities to gain admission to top universities, secure visas, obtain work permits, and eventually even citizenship in foreign countries.\n\nThese fraudulent advertisements often present highly convincing information, making it difficult for victims to suspect that the content may be stolen or copied from legitimate sources. Scammers impersonate representatives of renowned universities, promising to provide admission for a minimal registration fee and first semester tuition. They may also claim that students can find employment to cover living expenses, and even mention scholarship opportunities for future semesters.\n\nVictims are instructed to create email accounts or join WhatsApp groups, where scammers present convincing videos, photographs, and detailed information about the universities. Scammers provide foreign bank account details for transferring payments, further attempting to erase any doubts that the victims are falling for a scam. Once the scammers receive the registration fees and tuition fees, they disappear, leaving victims with no recourse.\n\nCERT urges the public to exercise caution when encountering advertisements on social media that claim to offer admission to foreign universities. It is essential to select only legitimate university representatives who provide services through legal and recognized channels. Additionally, the public must verify the authenticity of any documents and bank account details provided by scammers before making any financial transactions.",
  "summary": "The National Centre for Cyber Security has warned of a major fraud perpetrated, targeting those seeking to enter foreign universities. The fraudsters have used social media to deceive both students and their parents. The text of the press release issued yesterday: ” Sri Lanka CERT has received complaints from several parents and students who have […]",
  "key_points": [
    "CERT warns of foreign university scams on social media",
    "Scammers use convincing information to defraud students and parents",
    "Victims lose hundreds of thousands of rupees, receive no services"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}