Federal Government Indicts Eight in Reported Diploma Mill Fraud
By Thomas Hanson
Oct 8, 2005, 18:30
Apparently using just a series of web sites and a few phones, a group of eight individuals created an alleged million-dollar scam that sold bogus diplomas to consumers willing to purchase them.
The recent indictment in Washington State involved an elaborate process that included a variety of fictitious businesses. An explosion of consumer interest in online courses and degree programs has led to dishonest entrepreneurs jumping in to create online schools that are referred to as diploma mills. The so-called diploma mills are illegitimate businesses that sell phony degree credentials via the internet.
As part of the indictment, the federal government has seized the home of two Colbert, Washington residents, considered the leaders of the online scam. The two suspects, listed as Dixie Randock and Steve Randock Sr., allegedly sold the documents over the internet and then mailed the fake credentials through the US Postal service.
Six other individuals also participated in the hoax, at times answering phone calls from perspective employers seeking confirmation of a proposed employee’s degree status. The vast majority of degrees were sold to foreigners, helping those individuals obtain work visas in the US.
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