By Kauser News Agency – Investigative Report
California, July 2025 — A growing number of Afghan women immigrants in California have become the unsuspecting victims of sophisticated online business scams, exploiting their limited English proficiency and unfamiliarity with the digital economy. These scams often present themselves as digital marketing training, e-commerce business opportunities, or affiliate marketing programs, promising financial independence and remote work opportunities.
Kauser News Agency’s Counterintelligence and Social Affairs teams recently conducted a series of in-depth interviews with Afghan women across cities including Fremont, Sacramento, and Anaheim. The women—many of whom arrived in the United States following the 2021 evacuation—shared stories of manipulation, deception, and financial loss at the hands of online scammers.
The Promise of Empowerment, the Trap of Deception
Most scams begin with persuasive messages on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok, often in Dari or Pashto. These messages are frequently crafted by individuals posing as successful Afghan entrepreneurs or “coaches” who claim they can teach women how to earn money from home through online stores, digital marketing, or dropshipping.
The scammers target vulnerable women—especially widows, single mothers, and newcomers—offering programs that charge anywhere from $500 to $3,000 for “training,” “mentorship,” or “business packages.” Many victims were told that they would become financially independent within weeks or even days.
One 29-year-old mother of three in Sacramento shared with Kauser:
“They told me I could open an online store and sell products. I gave them $1,200 from my savings. They gave me a fake website and then stopped answering my calls. I still don’t understand what happened. I trusted them because they spoke my language.”
Language Barriers and Trust Exploited
Most of the victims interviewed said they were unable to fully understand the agreements or the technology being used. The scammers took advantage of their limited English and unfamiliarity with U.S. consumer rights and digital financial systems. Some even manipulated cultural trust norms by referring to Islamic values or presenting themselves as respected figures in the Afghan diaspora.
Kauser News Agency’s investigation uncovered that many of these fraudulent businesses are operated under false names, use untraceable payment methods like Zelle and CashApp, and maintain no legitimate business registration. In some cases, they lure women into pyramid-style schemes, demanding they recruit others from the community.
No Recourse, No Refunds
Victims who attempted to report the fraud often found little recourse. Without receipts, contracts in English, or official documentation, their cases were dismissed by local authorities or payment platforms. A few tried reaching out to Afghan community organizations, but many cases remained unresolved due to a lack of digital literacy and legal assistance.
Kauser News Agency calls on local and state authorities in California to recognize this growing trend and provide targeted resources to immigrant women. There is an urgent need for:
- Culturally tailored financial literacy programs in Dari and Pashto.
- Legal aid services to help victims seek restitution.
- Regulation and oversight of online coaching and marketing schemes targeting immigrants.
- Community workshops on recognizing and reporting digital fraud.
Furthermore, Afghan community leaders must speak out against these scams and support vulnerable women through trusted channels.
The story of these women is not just about fraud—it is about broken trust, digital exclusion, and the urgent need for protection. While the internet holds potential for economic empowerment, for many Afghan women immigrants, it has become a space of risk and exploitation. Kauser News Agency remains committed to uncovering such injustices and advocating for accountability.
If you or someone you know has been affected by an online business scam, contact Kauser News Agency at kauser@kausernews.org or reach out to your local consumer protection office.
