Police at the College of Marin are investigating 23 individuals suspected of posing as students in a plot to steal $200,000 in federal financial aid, some of which has already been paid out by the college.
Two vigilant faculty members brought the suspected scam to the attention of college administrators after noticing that several students in their online classes shared the same address and phone number, weren't participating in online discussions and withdrew soon after financial aid had been disbursed.
Such financial aid scams are increasingly seen at colleges across the country. They are estimated to cost taxpayers up to $1 billion a year and have federal investigators stretched to the limit figuring out how to stay ahead of the thieves.
Read more at The San Francisco Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/200-000-plot-to-steal-financial-aid-hits-Bay-5749273.php