AI Fake Alumni - International Student 'Past Exam Papers' Scam

Who Gets Targeted

Victims are mostly domestic college graduates preparing to study in the UK, Australia, and Canada, primarily young college students born in the 1990s and 1995-2009. Victims often harbor anxiety-driven goals regarding study performance and hold expectations filled with complaints about 'alumni resources,' psychologically craving a quick, low-cost way to meet standards. Most lack the media literacy to distinguish authentic from false information and have insufficient awareness of the credibility of AI-generated content, making them susceptible to manipulation through 'alumni trust' scripts.

骗局怎么运作

• 1. Fake alumni identities are established on social networking platforms. AI tools are used to automatically generate exam papers and answers matching the target exams, which are then compiled into 'high-fidelity' fake study materials with detailed contents extremely similar to official past papers. This step utilizes forged alumni avatars, certificate scans, and educational credentials to enhance credibility.
• 2. International students are approached via 'one-on-one tutoring' sessions, claiming that 'insider connections allow direct access to past exam papers.' This helps build an intimate relationship, usually starting with discounted fees or small course payments to set a psychological trap of investing before receiving.
• 3. Victims are shown 'human alumni' experience sharing and exam trends to further illustrate that the source of the 'past papers' is reliable, claiming endorsement by peers. This enhances credibility and reduces price sensitivity.
• 4. Victims are asked to sign 'cooperation agreements' and 'score confidentiality agreements' online or offline. After collecting upfront fees, the promise of 'delivering past papers' is suddenly denied under the pretext of 'official review failure' or 'alumni information leakage.' The scammers then proactively request refunds or transfers to hidden accounts, using 'non-disclosure' reasons to pressure victims into continuing payments.
• 5. After the victims pay, the scam syndicate uses multi-level transfers and money laundering techniques to route funds to overseas accounts. Later, they continuously track personal information and initiate targeted 'academic misconduct' accountability measures when appropriate, threatening victims to prevent public reporting, forming continuous extortion and information-driven control.

红旗信号（看到这些快跑）

• 🚩 Alumni information lacks third-party verification, and the certificates and educational credentials used are merely scanned copies with obvious layout inconsistencies.
• 🚩 The provided 'past papers' are highly similar to official past papers released, yet are labeled as 'unofficial authorization, personal materials only.'
• 🚩 Lures victims with initial low prices, followed by frequent demands that 'additional fees are required thereafter to obtain the past papers.'
• 🚩 Before signing contracts, 'alumni identity' and 'notes' appear only in encrypted chat records, lacking signatures on public platforms.
• 🚩 Transaction channels always use non-bank transfer methods, such as Alipay scanning codes, WeChat payment codes, or overseas payment platforms, with scammers emphasizing 'to ensure fund security.'

真实案例

• AI-Generated 'Internal Past Papers' Scam Syndicate Approaches International Student; Reported to Police on March 18
• Case Details Exposed on April 24: People's Daily Discloses Scam Syndicate Monopolizing 'Past Papers' Market
• Shanghai Police Crack Down on 'Internal Past Papers' Scam Case on March 23
• In March 2026, Shanghai Pudong police dismantled a professional scam syndicate specifically targeting overseas students: a special task force traveled to other provinces and cities to conduct centralized operations, successfully rounding up the entire syndicate. Interrogation confirmed this was a well-divided professional scam syndicate. Members disguised themselves as enthusiastic alumni to approach victims, lying about having internal exam materials to carry out fraud. The so-called internal exam materials provided were either past exam papers from previous years found online or fake questions generated through AI. When victims discovered the questions did not match, the suspects delayed delivery under the pretext of last-minute exam changes. Preliminary statistics show the amount involved exceeded one million yuan, and 23 criminal suspects were criminally detained according to law on suspicion of fraud. (Source: [https://m.gmw.cn/2026-03/18/content_1304381852.htm](https://m.gmw.cn/2026-03/18/content_1304381852.htm))
• In March 2026, Zhong'an News cited details of the aforementioned case reported by The Paper, showing that victim Xiao Liu successively made payments of 5,000 yuan for materials and a 20,000 yuan deposit to purchase internal exam materials. After receiving the funds, the other party made endless excuses to delay delivery, and repeatedly induced the victim to transfer more money as additional deposits under the guise of preventing the leakage of past papers. After entering a new phase, the syndicate sold internal exam materials to defraud victims of material fees and deposits without sending the materials. Upon receiving the report, the Pudong Branch of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau formed a task force and arrested all members of the syndicate. (Source: [https://api.app.anhuinews.com/pc/content/9163571.html](https://api.app.anhuinews.com/pc/content/9163571.html))

Official Stance

• Warns the public not to blindly trust 'past papers' provided by disguised alumni, emphasizing the need to verify alumni identities and official certifications.
• Issued the 'Notice on the Protection of Authenticity of Study Abroad Exam Materials,' emphasizing the crackdown on forged past papers.
• Issued the 'AI-Generated Past Papers Scam Alert,' providing identification and prevention strategies.

How to Protect Yourself

• ✅ Do not casually accept WeChat/QQ invitations from individuals claiming to be 'alumni'; verify through official alumni association channels when necessary.
• ✅ Check whether the provided exam materials have official authorization or official stamps; if not, remain vigilant.
• ✅ If you find the price abnormally low and prepayment required, it is recommended to first confirm the source and delivery process of the past papers, and clearly specify the refund policy in the contract.
• ✅ Use regular bank transfers or third-party payment platforms, and avoid using QR code scanning or other irregular channels for collection.