International Student Support

Staying safe and avoiding scams

How to spot scams, report them and get free, confidential support.

AU student sitting with a laptop
Scam alert: fake 'Chinese police' calls are targeting students

Real police will not investigate you over a video call, tell you to keep it secret or ask for bail money. On a call like this now? Hang up and call SA Police on 131 444.

Scams are targeting international students

A scam is a crime. Someone tricks you into giving them money or your personal details. Scammers often target international students because you are new to Australia and may not know how things work here yet. Scammers may even speak your language. Anyone can be scammed. If you lose money to a scam, it can be hard, sometimes impossible, to get it back.

Every week, at least one international student tells us they have been scammed.

How to spot a scam

Be careful if a call, message, email or social media post:

  1. asks you for money, especially a large amount
  2. keeps asking for your personal details
  3. threatens you with arrest, deportation or visa cancellation
  4. pressures you to act right now
  5. offers a discount or deal that seems too good to be true
  6. only wants to talk on encrypted apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, QQ or Telegram
  7. asks you to pay through a third-party service like MoneyGram, cryptocurrency, gift cards or an overseas bank account
  8. asks for money urgently because of a crisis in your home country
  9. comes unexpectedly from a number or account you do not know

Notice even one of these signs?

Stop. Do not pay or share anything until you are sure it is real

Not sure if it is a scam? Ask us first.

Our advisers can check a call, message or offer with you. It is free and confidential.

Contact International Student Support

Common scams and online safety

Scammers often pretend to be police, embassy staff or government officials from China or Australia. The call may start with an everyday issue, like a parcel, a health check, insurance or your visa. Then they may say you are linked to a crime.

It is a scam if they:

  • transfer you to 'police' in China
  • tell you to keep it secret from family, friends or the University
  • tell you not to search online about it
  • ask for video calls, photos or regular location check-ins
  • ask for 'bail' money or proof that you have funds.

Hang up, then follow the steps in if you think you have been scammed.

Read how one student was targeted.

Job scams often target students looking for flexible or part-time work. Be careful of job offers that:

  • promise high pay for little work
  • ask for upfront fees or your personal details early
  • ask you to move money or buy items for someone else
  • come from personal email accounts, not business addresses.

Always research the employer before you apply. Check your work rights on the Working while studying page.

Being underpaid or forced to work? Call the Salvation Army modern slavery support line on 1800 000 277 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm).

Watch: how job scams work

Fake listings often appear on social media and rental websites. Be careful if:

  • you are asked to pay bond or rent before you have seen the property or signed a lease
  • the 'landlord' says they are overseas and cannot show you the place
  • the rent is much cheaper than similar places nearby
  • they want payment in cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards or to an overseas account
  • they pressure you to pay now to 'secure' the room.

In South Australia, your bond must be lodged with Consumer and Business Services. Always ask for a written lease and a bond receipt. You can check your bond status online. 

Watch: how rental scams work

Scam emails and texts can look convincing. They may claim to be from your bank, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Australian Government or your home country's government. Look for:

  • email addresses that do not match the organisation's official website
  • spelling or grammar mistakes
  • links or attachments you were not expecting
  • urgent requests for passwords, codes or bank details.

Adelaide University will never ask for your password by email. Never share your PIN, password or verification codes with anyone.

Do not click links in a message you were not expecting. Go to the organisation's website yourself and contact them directly.

Protect your accounts: turn on multi-factor authentication and check your bank statements regularly.

Someone you meet online, often on a dating or social app, gets you to share intimate images or video. Then they threaten to share them unless you pay.

  • Do not pay. Paying usually leads to more demands.
  • Stop contact, but do not delete the messages. Save evidence first.
  • Report it to the eSafety Commissioner. They can help get images removed.
  • Report it to South Australia Police on 131 444.

It is not your fault. You can get free, confidential counselling and support from the University.

Online abuse is behaviour that is meant to harm, scare or upset you, such as threatening messages, harassment, fake accounts or sharing your information or images without consent. If it happens to you:

  1. Do not respond. Replying can make it worse.
  2. Save evidence. Take screenshots of messages, usernames, dates and links.
  3. Block and report the person on the platform where it happened.
  4. Report it to the eSafety Commissioner if the platform does not act within 48 hours, or straight away for image-based abuse.

You can also report inappropriate behaviour to the Safer Community Unit, in confidence.

If you think you have been scammed

It is not your fault, and you are not in trouble. Scammers are skilled criminals. Act quickly to limit the damage.

Number one blue icon

Secure your money

Stop all contact. Do not send any more money or details. Call your bank immediately to stop or reverse payments.

Number two blue icon

Report it

Call SA Police on 131 444 or report online through ReportCyber. Then report it to Scamwatch to help warn others.

Number three blue icon

Talk to us

International Student Support and Student Assist can help with your studies, visa and next steps. IDCARE also offers free support.

Emergency and support

Alert blue icon

In an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

For a campus security concern or distressing incident, call University Security on 1800 500 911. 

Overseas? Call your local emergency number.

24 hour support phone blue icon

In an emergency

Free for all enrolled students. Call 1300 107 441 or text 0488 884 163. 

Weekdays: 5:00pm–9:00am

Weekends and public holidays: 24 hours

Happy heart blue icon

Free counselling

Talk to a counsellor about anything affecting your study or life. Book an appointment. 

More resources