TOEFL Test Scam Targets High School Students During Orientation in Yogyakarta

A TOEFL test scam during a school orientation period (MPLS) at a high school in Yogyakarta has gone viral, prompting a swift investigation by the Yogyakarta Education, Youth, and Sports Agency (Disdikpora DIY). The incident, shared by the X account @merapi_uncover, detailed how 108 students were gathered in a room under the pretext of receiving a TOEFL socialisation session. During the session, two individuals identified as LFN and LYN took turns presenting material without clarifying their affiliation. After the socialisation, one of the individuals employed psychological tactics by offering a discount on the TOEFL test from Rp400,000 to Rp100,000, but gave students only 15 minutes to complete payment via QRIS scan. ‘Because we had already trusted them and panicked due to the time pressure, my friends and I immediately paid, some with cash at the front of the class, others by transfer or QRIS at the back of the room. We were given a receipt with a ’V’ logo and a company name Yogya*******, complete with an address, office number, and email,’ the post stated. Shortly after returning to their classes, a student received information from another school that the socialisation was a scam. ‘After we checked the internet and social media, it turned out the office address on the receipt was fake. Moreover, the test they offered was not actually TOEFL, but just a regular online EPT test that could be done in instalments over several days, and the certificate was only provided as a PDF file, not a physical one,’ the post explained. ‘Worse still, the school apparently never permitted any socialisation involving direct transactions with students like this. This Yogya******* party was found to have forced their way in secretly without official permission, so our school was caught off guard,’ it continued. Responding to the case, Suci Rohmadi, Head of Planning and Data at Disdikpora DIY, stressed that the agency had no connection, nor had it granted permission or recommendations to the parties conducting the TOEFL socialisation. ‘Disdikpora DIY has never issued permits, recommendations, or official cooperation with the institution. The misuse of the Education Agency and Police names is an illegal act and a misrepresentation of information,’ Suci said in a written statement. Meanwhile, Acting Head of Disdikpora DIY, Muhammad Setiadi, added that the case is currently being investigated by the Secondary Education Office (Baldikmen). ‘Tomorrow I will update on the findings from Baldikmen,’ Setiadi stated. Separately, the Head of Public Relations for the Yogyakarta Regional Police, Commissioner Ihsan, confirmed that the police have not yet received any reports regarding the case.