@Amy *****
the issue with a VPN is that you would be violating the conditions of the visa if you are using the VPN to apply in a country that you are not physically in. When you initially set up the e-visa it asks you what country you are in and states if you can apply or not, just before you submit the application it asks if the information provided is accurate and by signing you are agree that yes, it's accurate and you are not falsifying anything. Clearly stating you are somewhere you aren't is falsifying the info. All that said, no idea how they would track it. People have commented in various groups they were asked for proof of being somewhere, like a hotel reservation or passport stamp and were denied when they couldn't provide it so it's a risk.