Today, we will talk about "study abroad companies" that manipulate the educational aspirations of applicants, giving them their first "lesson" of adulthood, or more precisely, their first fraud. Fraud exists everywhere, and we have grown accustomed to it. But its presence in education is not just a crime; it is a major blow to the future of young people, seriously jeopardizing their career and educational opportunities.
Exploiting the desire of a 16-17-year-old to study, and misappropriating the money accumulated by them and their family over years, is the highest form of unscrupulousness. This is no longer just "business"; it is a gross violation of ethical and human norms. Such companies demand large sums, but the universities they send students to are either institutions unknown to science and education, or they suddenly disappear.
For now, there is calm, as the season has not yet begun. The "true spring" for these opportunists starts after March. That's when various embellished phrases emerge: "100% admission," "guaranteed education," "visa-free Europe" - words seem to become magical, floating in the air. Advertising billboards, sponsored posts, bombastic videos… Soon, these will be visible everywhere. It's as if everyone has suddenly become a professor of overseas education.
The most paradoxical aspect of this is that some centers are already "collaborating" with well-known figures. That is, an actor or singer comes out and says, "You can easily send your child abroad with such-and-such a center." But what does this "ease" serve? The emptying of a parent's pocket?
The plan is quite simple. As soon as 3-5 thousand manats are acquired, a basement is found, and "Study Abroad Center" is written on it in large letters. Inside, there are two tables, a printer, and a person who calls themselves an "education consultant." Their credentials, specialization, and authority are unknown, yet the fate of young people is easily entrusted to them. There are hundreds of such "centers"; only their names differ, but their method is the same.
As the saying goes, "one does not spare a chicken where a goose is expected." Apparently, this principle works very well for them. We see advertisements for these "study abroad companies" everywhere in the city, at metro exits, on the right and left corners of websites, and on television. One thinks: if they spend so much money on advertising, then their profit must not be small.
Now let's move on to the names. Look carefully, remember well. But don't forget: these are just a few of hundreds of such centers. "Max Group", "AID Group", "Study Abroad Center", "Brain Academy", "Elite Academy" and "Smart Business Group".
According to allegations, "Study Abroad Center" misappropriated 16 thousand dollars from a young person who wished to study abroad. Money accumulated by a family over years.
"Brain Academy" took 1700 dollars from a parent for their child to study boxing in Ukraine and signed a contract. Then they calmly stated, "No, not boxing, let him study management." When the parent protested, the answer was ready: "He is studying, let him study. If he doesn't study, the money will not be refunded." In other words, either shut up or say goodbye to your money.
The story of "AID Group" is no different. They took 3400 manats from a citizen and now act as if nothing happened. There is no response, no responsibility, and no sense of shame.
It should be recalled that in 2018, the "Elite Academy" education company operating in Baku promised education at Turkish universities to approximately 60 applicants.
Initially, the company took varying amounts of money, starting from 500 manats for each student, and later added transportation and reception costs. However, those who went to Turkey to gain student status encountered an unpleasant surprise there.
Furthermore, in 2025, Anar Khalilov, the director of "Smart Business Group" company, committed fraud against 4 individuals. He promised to secure admission for one of them as a medical student at "Ondokuz Mayıs" University and took 6,500 manats. He also defrauded other victims under the guise of securing their admission to various faculties of the same university. The investigative p has charged him under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code (committing fraud on a large scale).
Similar incidents occurred in 2021. It was determined that Ruslan Taghiyev obtained 191 thousand manats from 34 individuals through fraudulent documents, promising work, visas, and education abroad, and also misappropriated equipment worth 14,800 manats belonging to the company he worked for. Charges were brought against him under relevant articles, and the case was sent to court.
It is stated by the **Ministry of Science and Education** that it does not cooperate with any company in the field of education abroad, especially within the framework of the State Program, and bears no responsibility for the activities of intermediary companies operating in this field.
The **Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (AQAE)**, in its statements, notes that monitoring the activities of study abroad companies is not within the Agency's authority, and the Agency does not cooperate with any individual, company, or university regarding study abroad, including diploma recognition procedures.
Both institutions emphasized that they bear no responsibility for the activities of such intermediaries.
According to official sources, the highest number of diploma recognition rejections are recorded for the **Russian Federation**, **Ukraine**, and **Georgia**. It is no coincidence that study abroad companies promise admission specifically to these countries.
In metros and on advertising billboards, "Online education in Ukraine with just a certificate" is written in large letters. It is presented as an easy service: "Sit at home, and your diploma will be ready." But no one comes forward to ask: Ukraine is in the midst of war, how can such education be possible?
There are serious uncertainties regarding diploma recognition. These types of study abroad organizations aim not primarily for education, but for economic gain, collecting high fees from students and their families. As a result, some of the universities where students are placed are not recognized in the academic environment or are non-operational institutions with an uncertain status.
How has it become possible to so easily exploit a situation that a family sees as its last hope, a young person as their last resort? Let's be frank: such advertisements do not align the promised opportunities with reality.
If the advertisement is big, it must be true. If it's colorful, it must be reliable. If it's hung in the metro, there must be no problem. Based on this logic, the future of young people is sold, diplomas turn into scraps of paper, and hope becomes a slogan on an advertising billboard.
This article is a warning. Studying abroad is possible and real. But not every bright office, every expensive advertisement, every bombastic sentence means truth. The future of young people should not be a plaything in the hands of slogans on advertising billboards and unscrupulous "consultants." Every fraud silenced today can affect a young person's life tomorrow.
