Scammers' new target: 'scholarship application screens'
In Hatay, university student Nazime Avcıoğlu realized that after applying for a fake scholarship ad, scammers sent her 10 TL and asked for 5 TL back. Suspicious, Avcıoğlu uncovered the fraud in time and reported it to the authorities. Her family has warned students to be cautious of fake advertisements.
İHA
Nazime Avcıoğlu, a graduate student living in the Antakya district of Hatay, saw an ad belonging to a corporate organization while searching for scholarships online for her university education and submitted an application. A short while later, she received a message containing her identity information, in which she was asked to send back 5 TL of the 10 TL that had been deposited into her account. Suspicious of the situation, Avcıoğlu conducted an online search and contacted the company. Upon learning that similar fraud incidents had occurred previously, Avcıoğlu told the number that sent her the message that she would file a complaint, after which she was blocked by the number.
Nazime Avcıoğlu's mother, Gülay Avcıoğlu, who is the head of the Cebrail Neighborhood, stated that they were sent "chocolate money" and asked for "gum money" in return, and warned students against fake scholarship ads.
“WE CALLED THE ORGANIZATION REPEATEDLY AND SENT MESSAGES BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND”
Explaining the scammers' ploy, Gülay Avcıoğlu said, “Two days after my daughter applied to the ad on the internet, she received a response. After the fake organization deposited 10 TL, they asked us to send back 5 TL of that 10 TL. This situation caused us to be suspicious. We looked at the organization's online reviews. We called the organization repeatedly and sent messages, but they did not respond. We filed a complaint with the police. We were surprised that they gave 10 TL and then asked for 5 TL back. When we looked at the comments on the internet, we saw that this had happened to many of our students. Students need to be very careful. They need to thoroughly research the organizations they apply to for scholarships and read the reviews.
They should not apply to these fraudulent organizations so they do not become victims. The 10 TL they send is practically like 'chocolate money,' and they even ask for 5 TL of that back. It is like a joke and is unbelievable. The application for the organization requires information that includes all account details. Definitely do not fall for this trap and be careful. Thoroughly research and examine the organizations you are applying to for scholarships,” she said.