close

Internet, technology open up market for bogus documents

By Patty Yauger 4 min read

Need to have certain college courses to get ahead at the workplace? Looking for a better job but don’t have the time to sit in a classroom? Not to worry. For a few hundred dollars and access to the Internet, anyone can buy a transcript of courses and grades along with a diploma, complete with seals and signatures, from nearly any institution of higher learning.

“It’s frightening to think that anyone can get a job today with a fake diploma,” Jeff Baxter, senior deputy attorney general, said after a preliminary hearing for a local youth counselor charged with obtaining a bogus degree from Shaftesbury University to secure employment.

During the hearing, investigating agent Don A. Wojtowich testified that he had contacted Shaftesbury University online and was advised that for $1,300 he could obtain a degree in criminology with a diploma and grade transcript.

“They said that if I didn’t like or feel comfortable (with the corresponding transcript) they would change it free of charge,” said Wojtowich.

He was also advised if he was questioned by employers as to his ability to obtain a degree from the London-based institution, he was to inform them that courses were taken online.

Timothy Thompson, assistant director of international services for the University of Pittsburgh, testified that although he had not visited the site, it existed only within the confines of an office.

Thompson routinely reviews the credentials of prospective University of Pittsburgh students to determine the authenticity of the documents.

Shaftesbury and other non-accredited or recognized “universities” are termed “diploma mills” and distribute thousands of bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in various majors.

This week, the state attorney general’s office filed a lawsuit against a former New Mexico state trooper accused of operating an Erie-based online “diploma mill” institution that sold thousands of fake degrees to people around the world.

The lawsuit states that since the late 1990s, Dennis J. Globosky claims to have awarded more than 12,000 degrees.

The costs associated with obtaining a degree from Globosky’s University of Berkley ranged from $2,065 to $4,995. The price included a diploma, transcript with grade associated with each particular course and other records, including a notarized document claiming that the document was official, along with available personnel to “verify” the authenticity of the degrees.

Globosky is also accused of falsifying statements to the state Department of Education regarding accreditation, certification and other legal issues associated with operation as a “university” in the commonwealth, according to state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

“Federal authorities have also been notified that Mr. Globosky has allegedly done business with Libyan, Iranian and other foreign nationals whose countries have been or continue to be subject to economic sanctions monitored by the U.S. Treasury Department,” said Corbett.

Last year through a sting operation, investigators with the attorney general’s office requested a bachelor’s degree in business administration for Colby Nolan, a pet cat.

The information on the student application claimed that Colby completed three courses at a community college and worked at two different retailers as a manager. Other previous work experience included food preparation at a fast food restaurant, babysitting and a paper route.

After the review and evaluation process was completed, the “administrators” at Trinity Southern University conferred an executive MBA diploma upon the “graduate.”

“Bogus outfits like this also enable unscrupulous individuals to use these degrees to misrepresent their educational background and enhance their credibility and/or employment and promotion opportunities,” said Corbett.

Barbara Petito, deputy press secretary for the attorney general’s office, said the resources provided by the Internet allow for easy access to false documents.

“These diplomas are extremely authentic-looking with seals and signatures – a replica of a real diploma,” she said. “The transcripts come with grades and courses for a small amount of money and no time in the classroom.

“The intent is to deceive.”

Petito said it is virtually impossible to determine the number of diploma mills being operated in Pennsylvania or throughout the world.

“All you need is a computer and Web site to start one,” she said.

“The audience is global.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today