Beware of social media posts and websites promoting the acquisition of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certification without taking the examination.
A certified level of English is mandatory for most Australian visas. Under IELTS, testing is mandatory. A visa applicant is required to obtain the minimum score, depending on visa criteria, in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) in a single sitting.
Fraudsters are targeting potential migrants and other visa applicants, primarily in Asia and the Middle East, on social media and dedicated websites and advising that they can acquire IELTS certification without taking the mandatory examination. The scam usually involves the sale of fraudulent IELTS result certificates.
This practice is particularly concerning with the growing number of international students required to meet English language requirements in order to be granted visas to undertake study in Australia.
Fortunately, the number of people falling for this scam is low at this point in time as IELTS are aware of the practice and are taking security measures accordingly.
Note that fraudulent documents being offered for sale cannot be verified on the official online IELTS portal.
