The TEFL people will tell you that a degree is not needed in China, Russia, or Korea. You are right in your assertion that they just want your money. I did a TESOL course a long time ago before I came to China. What I learned was basically useless, and they said they would directly help with finding work at the time. They did not.

My first job in China was a disaster, and I got the contact details for that job from a TEFL jobs board in Australia. My second job at a public college was much better.

I will say again, a degree really is needed now in most places. BTW, don't even think about using a fake degree if you choose Korea or Thailand. Foreigners have been jailed ( for several months! ) and then deported later for this offence.