Red flags for fraudulent education consultants: (1) "100% visa guarantee" claims — no legitimate consultant can guarantee visa outcomes; (2) Asking for large upfront cash payments before any services are rendered; (3) No physical office or contact details; (4) Pressure to sign documents immediately; (5) Vague about which universities they partner with; (6) Cannot produce evidence of previous successful students; (7) Offering visa labels or acceptance letters before the official process; (8) Not registered with any professional body (ECAN, BAEAS, NAEC, MARA, OISC). Protect yourself: check ConsultancyCheck reviews, verify professional registrations, never pay cash without a receipt, and report suspicious behaviour to your local consumer protection authority.