Big scam on campus: SU warns of phoney flyers

Preying scammers have been warned off targeting unsuspecting international students.

A mobile phone company called Stay Connected have been advertising a student deal under the University’s name.

They offered pre-loaded call cards for students to make calls abroad.

These shameless shams were found posted around campus around the 10th October

The company were posting flyers around campus, shamelessly using the Warwick logo and advertising the mobile phone deal as if they were part of the University.

A statement from the SU said: “The University’s Security services have alerted us to a potential scam circulating with which Warwick is not associated, and which students are urged to be extremely wary of.

“The University are investigating and taking the necessary action, but all students (particularly international students, at whom the flyers seem to be targeted) should be aware that is NOT a legitimate University service and may be a scam.”

The flyers stated that students were eligible for the “Warwick Mobile Smartphone” after they had enrolled to “Keep ahead of your game during your time here”.

The company were asking for a £195 payment for a top of the range smartphone topped up with credit and were also offering “student friendly” call rates in and outside of the UK.

A “Mapapp” was offered to prevent students from “getting lost on our huge campus” – sorry Westwoodians, looks like you’ll still be keeping those compasses and Ordinance Survey maps.

After stern words and a slapped wrist, the company’s website offering the deal has apparently been shut down.

Peter Dunn, Big Wig Director of Press and Policy at Warwick, said: “We are not aware of any Warwick student actually parting with any money in relation to this leaflet.”

“We have also encouraged staff to place any such leaflets they encounter straight into a recycling bin”. We can all sleep soundly at night everyone, safe in the knowledge that the university is protecting our pounds sterling and saving the planet by using the Mixed Recyclables bins properly. Thanks Pete, you’ve got our backs.

Third year student Heather saw the leaflets around campus but said: “I wouldn’t have gone for it anyway but the leaflets looked really realistic and I can understand why it would have appealed to International Students.”