Brisbane-based education agent who promised tuition and accommodation to over 100 foreigners, mostly from South America, has disappeared with money, reports.
31-year-old Savita Azevedo claims to be one of the victims. She told that she had paid Tu Futuro almost $8,000 for an English course, accommodation and health assistance.
But she realised she was duped when her landlord asked her to vacate the property after two weeks.
"I feel embarrassed and sad because I arrived and I stayed two weeks and paid for five weeks and now the guys [landlords] tell me the agency don't pay us… 'you [have] to leave the house'," she said.
Ms Azevedo said she had called the agency, emailed them but there was no answer.
"We try to come here and study to get a better life … but we are disappointed."
reported that over 100 South Americans have been allegedly scammed by Tu Futuro and the fraud is estimated to be anywhere about $500,000 to $1 mn.
The Overseas Students Ombudsman confirmed it had received more than 40 complaints involving Tu Futuro. The Ombudsman is now working with government agencies to investigate the matter.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham’s department called it a rare example of alleged fraud and said the Government was working to provide support for those affected.
The contacted Tu Futuro for a response but the company did not return calls and its Brisbane office was closed.
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