'Ghost Students:' The digital network of thieves posing a 'major threat' to CA Community CollegesFRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "Ghost students, I would consider to be those individuals, who are fake students," says Mikki Johnson, Financial Aid Director for Fresno City College. Hidden behind computer screens, an army of digital crooks, known as 'Ghost Students.' One community college in the Bay Area had a 50-person online class fill up in minutes, with 100 on the waitlist. According to the California Community Colleges in 2024, more than 31% of all applications statewide were fraudulent. Many community colleges are now turning to identity verification software to help reduce the rampant fraud.