Fake university website shut down by Suffolk Trading Standards

A website for a fake university aiming to scam money from overseas students has been shut down by Suffolk Trading Standards.

Calling itself the College of Suffolk, the website claimed the university had been founded in 1990 and was located on Queen Street in Ipswich.

Quoting yearly fees ranging from £3,500 to £8,900, it claimed to offer courses in acting, musical theatre, dance and performance.

The site used images of the real University of Suffolk and even had a page promoting the county, saying how it was home to its own breed of horses, breweries and famous celebrities such as singer Ed Sheeran.

A foreword by college ‘President’ Dr Stephen Spinks talked of how it provides “exciting learning opportunities in business, human resources, accountancy, finance, musician (sic) and art – all critical areas for the world of work.”

It is the second time such a fake college has been foiled by Trading Standards – an identical scam using the same name and information was closed down in 2019.

The website was being run from Hong Kong and while Suffolk Trading Standards have had no reports of victims in the UK there may be some overseas.

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said:

“Websites like this can be used to attract students, collect personal information and course fees. They can also be used to sell fake degree certificates.

“It is trying to exploit overseas students unfamiliar with academic establishments and the enrolment process in the UK, something our officers have now thwarted.”

Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection, & Communities, said:

“A degree from a British college or university is an enticing prospect for an overseas student and those behind this scam were trying to exploit that.

“Thankfully the vigilance of Suffolk Trading Standards has prevented this website from trying to pick up where it would appear to have previously left off and will not be conning people into paying for non-existent courses.”

Trading Standards says anyone considering applying for a college course can beat degree fraud through the Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD) website https://hedd.ac.uk/ where people can:

• Check whether a university or college is an official degree awarding body by using the look-up service
• Download free toolkits allowing employers, universities and colleges to tackle degree fraud
• Check original degree certificates with the issuing university

Degree fraud can be reported to the HEDD fraud team on 020 8148 2400.

If you have concerns about a website, please report it to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.