Key Points
- SV Bernardo arrived in Victoria, Australia in 2022 as an international student. Fearing that his dream of building a better life for his family would be compromised, he bravely left his school and filed a complaint with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Ombudsman.
- Registered Psychologist Donn Tantengco advises that it’s best to seek guidance from people with firsthand experience before making major decisions.
- According to education.gov.au, from January to December 2024, Australia recorded over 1.09 million international student enrolments — a 15 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
'No real classes, just attendance': A Filipino’s ordeal with a fake school in Australia
SBS Filipino
12:35
The term ‘bogus’ or ‘sham school’ is informally used to describe a fake or fraudulent school that doesn’t provide real education.
If you have been a victim of a scam—whether online, through a phone call, or via email—you can report it to the ACCC or call the Australian Cyber Security Hotline at 1300 292 371 for investigation, even if the scammer is overseas.
Additionally, report the incident to your local police and bank for further assistance.
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