Outrage in academic world at fake degrees sold online

Mar 15 2008 by Liz Hands, The Journal

FAKE degrees from the North-East’s top universities are on offer for less than £40 a time.

The bogus certificates, printed on parchment, carry replicas of university crests and embossed seals.

They can be obtained at the touch of a button from an internet site which boasts that with its help, getting a certificate “is as easy as 1, 2, 3”.

On offer are phoney qualifications in the name of Newcastle, Durham, Northumbria and Sunderland Universities.

Academics at the region’s leading educational institutions and politicians are outraged at the scam.

But Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell warned it was difficult to prosecute in cases like this.

Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, of the Department for Innovation and Skills Select Committee, last night pledged to call for a Commons investigation.

She went on: “If people are buying these degrees to pretend it is something they have, then that is surely fraudulent.

“It is also unfair on the students who put a lot of time and effort into getting their qualification from a recognised institution.”

A Newcastle University spokesman said: “The fact that this website is offering fake degrees is very worrying and we will be investigating it further.”

A statement issued by Northumbria University said: “We absolutely oppose the selling of fake certificates, as it clearly undermines the hard work, talent and commitment of genuine students.”

A warning was issued by Durham University. Their spokesman said: “Any attempt by someone to pass off a fake degree certificate as the genuine article could lead to serious repercussions for the person concerned.”

And at Sunderland, they were anxious to emphasise the differences between their certificates and the fakes.

They said: “We would expect all employers, as we do, to have a number of checks in place to ensure a potential employee’s credentials.”

The website, The Certificate Factory, describes itself as “your online source for authentic fake degrees, fake diplomas, fake HNDs/HNCs, fake transcripts and more”.

It boasts: “We can provide fake degrees for any university or college in the UK and worldwide.

“With the additional use of authentic crests and logos, you’re the only one who will know that you have a fake certificate.

“It’s as easy as 1,2, 3.”

Each certificate costs £39.95. For an extra £49.95, buyers can also have a transcript – a breakdown of the marks they supposedly achieved to earn their degree.

The website, which has sister sites around the world, claims its products are intended for novelty use.

But a statement from Universities UK, which represents higher education across the country, said: “You would have to be quite naive to believe that such certificates are being purchased for ‘novelty’ purposes.

“Despite disclaimers on such websites, it is quite clear that this activity is dishonest and could result in serious consequences for someone trying to pass it off as a genuine UK degree certificate.”

And Diane Warwick, Universities UK chief executive, said such certificates devalued “the efforts of genuine students who work hard to achieve their degrees”.

“We have taken a strong line on this issue in the past, including legal action against one individual, and we will continue to work to counteract those who attempt to falsify qualifications,” she said.

“We will be alerting the Government department to any such activity.”

She said a change in the law was needed before the issue could be properly tackled.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Higher Education, agreed. He said: “For those behind the sale of fake degrees to be successfully prosecuted in court, hard evidence is required to prove that they were deliberately complicit with their customers who, in turn, also have to be proven to have purchased fake degrees for financial advantage.”

Students are also angered by the scam. Jamie McDonnell, president of Newcastle Union Society, said he was deeply concerned.

“This website makes a mockery of the time and effort that dedicated hard working students put into achieving their qualifications,” he said.

“I am offended by the nature of the website and by any organisation that condones its use for personal gain.”

And the higher education watchdog, the Quality Assurance Association, described the website as unacceptable.

Their spokesman said: “Anyone looking to buy such a certificate with the intention of using it to gain employment or admission into education could find themselves accused of deception.”

The Journal gave The Certificate Factory operators the chance to answer criticisms of their site, but they failed to take that opportunity.

Last night, the website appeared to have been taken down.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the force would look into the matter if a complaint was received.

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Reporter exposes injustice after working hard for her genuine degree

REPORTER Victoria Murphy, who tracked down the controversial website, was spurred on by the fact that she had worked long and hard for her degree – and it left her with a huge loan to repay.

She said: "I worked hard for my A-levels, and was thrilled when I got a place to study Music and Drama at Manchester University.

"It was important to me to get the degree I needed to impress prospective employers.

"After three years of grafting, I ended up with a First.

"I also ended up with debts of about £15,000 for tuition fees, accommodation and living costs.

"And that was in spite of hefty contributions from my parents.

"I estimate it will take at least 10 years to repay the debt, and that is the optimistic view," she said.

"It was hard work getting my degree and I am proud of the certificate I gained in recognition of my success.

"It is outrageous to think that someone can get their hands on a fake certificate that might persuade an employer to take them on – without having invested either the time, the money or the effort. All they have to do is find the £39.95."