Fake college enrollments have been surging as crime rings deploy “ghost students” — chatbots that join online classrooms and stay just long enough to collect a financial aid check.

Fake college enrollments have been surging as crime rings deploy “ghost students” — chatbots that join online classrooms and stay just long enough to collect a financial aid check.

AI-powered scams enroll fake students in online courses, defrauding colleges and federal financial aid. Discover how this sophisticated scam works.

The rise of artificial intelligence and the popularity of online classes have led to an explosion of financial aid fraud.