FAKE CERTIFICATE: Tun Hisan (second right) showing the fake certificates and photo of a graduate receiving a scroll during the press conference. — Bernama photo
SHAH ALAM: Police are tracking several individuals including a ‘Tan Sri’ and politician believed to have bought fake degrees issued by a company in Subang Jaya.
Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Hamzah said they are part of 525 fake graduates who earned ‘degrees’ without attending lecture, sitting for examination and submitting papers.
“We don’t rule out possibility that several individuals with status in society had bought such degrees but can’t comment further until they have been identified.
“Police will also summon other graduates to record their statement to facilitate investigation into the case,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
The fake degrees were issued in the name of five foreign universities. Three of the universities did not exist.
The five universities were University of Rockhampton (non-existent), Harvey International University (non-existent), Cannington Brook University (non-existent), Glastonbury University and Charles Molnar University.
On Monday, Berita Harian exposed the sale of degrees namely Bachelor of Science for RM6,500, Master’s for RM8,500 and Phd for RM10,500.
The Malay daily reported that the educational institution in Subang Jaya claimed cooperation with three foreign universities as partners.
Tun Hisan said police arrested two suspects, a 37-year-old man who was the company director and his 36-year-old wife who worked as an agent in the company.
The male suspect was a shareholder of the company while his wife was a lecturer at the educational institute in Subang Jaya.
“The man was arrested at a premises in Cheras while his wife was arrested at their office in Subang Jaya yesterday,” he said.
Customers were sought via agents and the company’s portal and must pay the amount which included payment for the convocation ceremony held at famous hotels in the Klang Valley.
Tun Hisan said that the company which began operation since 2003 had raked in about RM5 million.
“I urge employers, family members and those possessing fake degrees from these universities to make police reports because using fake degrees is fraud.”
Both suspects have been remanded until Saturday. The case is investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. — Bernama