In a recent official advisory, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has sounded the alarm over a malicious, unauthorised website that impersonates the prestigious regional higher education institution, targeting vulnerable prospective students and members of the public seeking enrollment information.
University representatives confirmed that the fraudulent platform mimics UWI’s official branding, layout, and program descriptions to trick visitors into sharing sensitive personal data including national identification information, bank details and contact information. In many cases, scammers behind the fake site have demanded non-refundable upfront payments under the false pretense of processing admission applications or reserving spots in popular academic programs. Victims who pay these fees never receive legitimate admission offers, and their personal information is often exploited for further identity theft or financial fraud.
UWI’s administration has stressed that the university only conducts official enrollment and payment processing through its verified, centralised official website and authorised partner channels. The institution has urged anyone who has interacted with the fake platform to immediately monitor their financial accounts for unauthorised activity, report any suspicious transactions to their local banks, and file a formal complaint with local law enforcement and cybercrime units. UWI also noted that it is working closely with cyberspace regulatory authorities to take down the fraudulent website and track down the individuals responsible for the scam, reminding the public to double-check the URL and authentication of any website claiming to be affiliated with the university before sharing personal or financial information.