Cold-Hearted Conman Rips Off International Students for Nearly £50K
Sibtain Hussain, 32, from Bradford, has been locked up for a heartless scam that fleeced nearly £50,000 from desperate university hopefuls. The callous fraudster targeted international students chasing a dream of studying in the UK, bombarding them with fake fees for “financial checks,” “student services,” and bogus “accommodation deposits.” All lies to grab their cash.
Fake Fees Leave Students Devastated
Hussain didn’t just prey blind. He hacked stolen applicant data to send scam emails and calls to over 200 students. Each victim was hit with demands up to £3,200. In total, 23 students fell for the con, handing over more than £48,000. Thankfully, alert banks blocked many payments, limiting the damage.
How the Scam Unraveled
Lancaster University raised the alarm in July 2019 after spotting dodgy payment requests. The National Crime Agency launched a rapid probe, tracking money trails and victim accounts. Officers swooped on Hussain in Bradford the same month, seizing phones and wallets stuffed with damning evidence. After initially denying charges, Hussain pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court in October 2025.
Jail Time: Four and a Half Years Behind Bars
This week, Hussain was slapped with four and a half years for fraud, plus an extra 12 months for money laundering. A stark warning: scammers targeting vulnerable students will face tough justice.
