OVERSEAS mature students were conned out of £3,000 a time to study at Blackburn College.

Sri Lankan nationals were duped by an ‘intermediary’ who promised to set them up on with a year’s course at the college.

The six foreign students then arrived in Blackburn only to be told by college bosses that their money had never materialised.

The students, with the help of the college, contacted police.

The community cohesion unit carried out a lengthy investigation but has ruled out any criminal case.

Instead, Blackburn College will have to pursue the ‘individual’ through civil courts to reclaim their lost money.

Principal Ian Clinton said the college had honoured the placements and allowed the Sri Lankan students to stay and take the one-year course because of unique position they found themselves in.

Police said the ‘middle man’ was of foreign heritage but had been living in the UK for some time.

Police praised the college for its approach to the scam.

Alan Lawrence, head of international development at the college, said: “The college has now referred the issue back between the students and the agent involved in the matter.

“We have changed our admin policies and procedures so that international students will never pay an agent their tuition fees directly and be at risk again.

"Instead the student will pay the college directly.

“We have also drawn up a list of vetted agents who will only work based on criteria we set, and introduced a new payment system which will ensure students are not disadvantaged by exchange rates.”