By Brook Sabin
Police are urging hundreds of people who have bought “fake” university degrees to hand themselves in.
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested after an elaborate forgery scheme was uncovered by police.
Detective inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith, of the Otahuhu Police, says it is believed the scam is nationwide.
“We believe most, if not all New Zealand universities are involved,” he says.
“In so far as certificates exist, purported to be issued by those universities.”
The Auckland-based scam was discovered after police became suspicious of a number of ads in newspapers and on the internet.
Police believe hundreds of fake qualifications have been purchased by Chinese nationals at a cost of several thousand dollars each.
Mr Allsopp-Smith says the scheme was elaborate.
“It's not just the degree, you've got NZQA forms, you've got immigration letters, you've got various documentation for China, you've got certificates of attainment, academic records, even an assignment,” he says.
The trio have appeared at the Manukau District Court, facing charges of forgery.
Police are warning that if those with the qualifications don't come forward - they could also face legal action.
“It depends what they've used them for, we will treat each case on its merits,” says Mr Allsopp-Smith.
Tim Greville, of Auckland University, says the fakes can be easily checked on their website.
“You can see if a named person has a named degree in a named year, and that doesn't cost you anything,” he says.
Police say many of the qualifications have been sent back to China but are warning employers - some may turn up in the country.
3 News