# DOJ says thousands of “ghost students” used AI to steal millions in student loans

https://mins.news/en/item/122912

- Ars Technica, 2026-10-30 16:53 UTC
- Other
- Original: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/doj-exposes-ghost-students-using-ai-to-complete-courses-steal-student-loans/

> The US charged five people in what it called its first broad federal crackdown on “ghost students,” fraudsters who allegedly stole hundreds of Americans’ identities to pose as fake college students and obtain loans. The Justice Department said the scheme partly used AI and that it seized more than $750,000 in cryptocurrency from a network associated with Kenyan nationals.

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