Visa Scam Exposed at London College

A college in London has been caught out helping international students to cheat their way to degree qualifications in order to gain a UK visa. After being exposed by a BBC television programme, Rayat London College is now being investigated by the UK Border Agency.

Earlier this year, BBC investigators pretended to be students enrolling at the college, but were secretly filming with hidden cameras. The results were shocking. The college has been selling overseas students a false diploma which can then be used to enrol on MBA courses. The diplomas mean the students are exempt from much of the work, allowing them to complete express MBA courses in as little as a week.

Fast, Fake Degrees

On top of this, the diplomas allow the students to apply for Post Study Work visas, which allow internationals two years in the UK after they finish a degree. These PSW visas are being phased out in April next year, which is leading some students into the temptation fast, fake degrees.

Staff at Rayat were caught teaching students how to cheat on both their exams and their visa applications. Indeed, students were even being offered the chance to see the exam papers before the examination itself.

The Immigration Minister for the UK, Damian Green, had a warning for anyone trying to cheat the system:

"It's fraud - it's clearly trying to create and exploit a loophole in the immigration system. If people are committing scams then they should be worried - we're after them."

It is this type of fraudulent visa application that the British Government is trying to cut back on with the new laws introduced in the last year. Fake colleges are being found out more and more and being shut down. If you are applying to a UK college, it is more important than ever to make sure it is a reputable institution. The government has a list of approved colleges that are trusted organisations, which you can find here.

Share with friends