Fake cyber university nabbed for cheating 199 people

By Kim Hyun-bin

One man has been taken into custody and another booked without detention, for establishing a bogus cyber university and taking 1.7 billion won ($1.6 million) from 199 people.

The detained, surnamed Kim, allegedly got 199 Koreans to enroll in Templeton University, what police believe to be a fake U.S. university set up by him and his accomplice, police said Thursday.

Kim, who acted as the chairman of the bogus school, had recently been arrested for fraud and violating the higher education act, according to police.

Police also indicted another man, a suspect identified only by his surname Park, without physical detention. He allegedly acted as the dean of the College of Business Administration.

Police said the suspects falsely recruited students by emphasizing Templeton University’s early graduation curriculum, ranging from undergraduate to doctorate programs.

The suspects reportedly told prospective students an undergraduate degree could be obtained in two years, a master’s in 15 months and a doctorate in 21 months.

The university ran quarterly semesters and charged students 3 million won for each in the undergraduate program, 4 million won in the master’s and 5 million won in the doctorate.

They also gave discounts to lower income families in the form of scholarships and early graduation for students that paid more.

The suspects told prospective students that all courses could be taken online. They also said the credits received could be used to transfer to a four-year university in Korea or enter a graduate school program here.

However, none of the Templeton University “graduates” have succeeded in transferring or entering a graduate school program.

Since July 2015, 199 students enrolled in courses and the suspects pocketed 1.7 billion won.

“The investigation has been underway for two years, but a lack of cooperation from students for fear of losing their diplomas made it difficult to arrest the suspects,” a police official said.

The suspects refuted the charges, claiming the university was officially approved.

Police said Templeton University was listed as a corporate body in the state of California, but was not accredited by the U.S.

Department of Education or Korea’s Ministry of Education.

Investigators have widened their probe after receiving tips on similar activities orchestrated by Kim.