# DOJ charges five in "ghost student" scheme that used AI to steal student loans

> Original title: Thousands of “ghost students” use AI to steal millions in student loans, DOJ says

- Source: Ars Technica · AI
- Published: 2026-10-30T16:53:49.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/wyssr5013cvux0xhj5owtr4nr
- Original: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/doj-exposes-ghost-students-using-ai-to-complete-courses-steal-student-loans/

## Summary

The Department of Justice says it has charged five people in a federal crackdown on "ghost students," fraudsters who use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain federal student aid, and seized more than $750,000 in cryptocurrency from a network linked to Kenyan nationals.