International Student lost education loan in scam

Hi!

I am Prashasti Hajela, an international student at Rochester Institute of Technology (MS in Business Analytics).

On 30th September, around 4:30 pm, I got a fake call from a lady named Jessica (+1 [phone redacted]) from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) informing me that as an International Student, I have missed a few mandatory forms and they had received a police complaint against me. Jessica told me I'll be getting a call from the Detention Center (+1 [phone redacted]) from a federal officer to confirm the same, and only he can save me from this; no lawyers or the university would be able to help me. I then received a call from the same number and the person pretended to be a Federal officer and I had committed a criminal offense by not filling out the forms, and if I don't cooperate, he could issue an arrest warrant against me. I was totally baffled because I never heard of these forms before. So I asked him to kindly clarify what is it about, what forms have I missed. The person instead of answering started yelling that I do not have the manners and I dont know how to talk to a Federal officer. He then instructed someone over the call that this girl is not cooperating, send the team to arrest her, and asked Jessica to revoke my admission and that I will now be deported back to my home country after spending 5 months in prison. He was threatening me by mentioning the possibility of arresting my parents. I received a call again from RIT, and Jessica requested the officer to help me because it's a matter of the University's reputation. He then said that only he can request the police not to arrest me, but I have to pay bail money and the fine for missing forms. He then asked me to transfer money via Zelle to attorneys. After sending $990, I wasn't able to send more money, so he asked me to go to Apple store to buy Apple gift cards because that can be used for bail. He also said the personnel at the store knows this card can also be used for bail, so I should act very normal otherwise I have to spend the night in prison. I went to the Eastview mall in Victor, NY but the store denied to make the sale, then he asked me to go to another store to buy gift cards. However, my debit card was blocked, so I couldn't make the purchase there either.Since it was late at night and my card was blocked, he booked a cab from Lyft (Driver's number - [phone redacted]). When I reached home, he said "Since you are cooperating now and understood your mistake, I will try to save you as much as I can" and instructed me not to talk to anyone, to turn off my mobile, not to leave home as you're under surveillance and he will call me in the morning. He called at 8 am and asked to go to Chase bank to unblock my card and asked to withdraw $9000 cash. He then asked me to go to multiple stores to buy gift cards from cash ($14800) and debit card ($5000) and asked to send the picture of gift cards so that he could verify if they were activated or not. And after this, officers will come to your home and install CIS app on your phone to use these cards for bail and fine. I was denied sale from multiple stores so he said people are getting suspicious and they are informing the local police and the police is questioning whether I am trying to run away, so he ordered me to act normal. He asked to withdraw $5000 cash again and buy gift cards. After that Jessica called again and informed me that my admission is terminated from RIT, and for re-admission, I have to pay another $2000.

On 1st October, when it was getting late at night, he asked me to go home and told he’ll call again tomorrow and asked not to inform anyone yet as the case is still not closed. Upon reaching home as I was too scared, I reached out to my roommate and asked her to turn off her laptop and mobile as I wasn’t aware it was a scam yet. When I told her the whole story, she said it’s a scam and you need to call 911 as this person knows your address also. I reported a complaint with the local law enforcement (Case ID - 22-171225). I reached out to my bank that I have been scammed for $20,000. I also contacted Apple Customer care and requested them to block all the cards. However, Chase bank, Apple, and other merchants have denied my claims as they don’t consider it fraud.

The money I lost was from my collateral educational loan. Since I am not from a well-off family, I cannot ask my family for additional support. I am worried that without any help, I won’t be able to pay any fees for next semester. My college has supported me with this month's rent and a gift card to buy groceries.

I was too terified at that time because I dont know how things work in this country. Even though at one point I thought it might be a scam, but the fear of what if it's not and not seeing or talk to my family ever again made me do whatever they asked me to.

If anyone wants to verify my story, you can contact International Students Service at RIT ([email redacted]). I can be reached at [email redacted] / Instagram - prashastihajela.

I request everyone who's reading my story to donate whatever you can. Every little bit will help me reach my goal. I aim to raise $20000 to pay my tuition fees and complete my degree.