I started this blog in 2002 with the statement below. Since then there were many messages. I posted the phone numbers to call below.

The following e-mail was sent to me in October 2002 (actually more than once). It demonstrates that Mr. Compton (see another page in our personal corner with the poem of Mr. Compton ) was wrong. You can get the diploma (true, from an non-accredited University, but a diploma all the same) without the study and training. A couple of hundred (thousand?) dollars (I guess) is all it takes...

I did not call the number below. Do it at your own risk. Enjoy!

UNIVERSITY DIPLOMAS!

Obtain a prosperous future, money earning power, and the admiration of all!

Diplomas from prestigious non accredited universities based on your present knowledge and life experience.

NO required tests ,classes, books or interviews.

Bachelors, Masters, M.B.A or Doctorate (P.H.D)

Diplomas available in the field of your choice!

Confidentiality assured.

Call NOW to receive your diploma within DAYS!! 24 hours 7 days a week

1-305-460-3152

(March 13, 2003) There must be more such universities. Today I received another offer. The difference is that they say that nobody is turned down (there was no such assurance in the previous one). For your benefit(?) it is listed below:

1-817-740-5673

Please note that it is NOT a toll-free number.

(April 9, 2003) It is getting more and more interesting. I just got another offer. As usual, they do not give the name of the prestigeous institution so we do not know if it is just the same School(?), or something else. Anyway, here is another one. It is not toll-free, judging from the area code.

1-214-853-4383

They advertize being at your service 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. I wonder if priority mail delivery is available.

(May 5, 2003) I am getting more of these announcements. It must be a thriving business. I contemplate a small outfit of my own. But maybe there would be a conflict of interest (after all I am employed by a bona fide university myself, so it would be an unfair competition). Anyway, I just received yet another one.

1-415-276-2889

(May 9, 2003) It gets better. Today I received more of these ads. One was from Argentina. It looks like they do this very cheap. Here is the schedule: Bachelor's Degree: $149 (standard) and 209 (deluxe). It grows with Masters, Executive (?) MBA and finally here is a schedule for Ph.D.: Standard $299, deluxe $399. And for additional $129 they offer a transcript.

(June 1, 2003) It looks like it got into regular spammers' business (cheap medicine, child pornography, and like). Here is a number I got today:

1-415-358-5550

I wish someone studied poetics of these ads seriously.

(July 26, 2003) They have a healthy competition! I just got this spam that argues that diplomas are the matter of prestige. They are absolutely right. B.t.w., legitimate universities are in this business since ages. Think about "doctorates honoris causa" that most legitimate schools confer (often) upon the people who contribute 7-digit donations. Anyway, here is the newest number.

1-310-943-3250

(October 10, 2003) I thought that they gave up, but - presto - here is another one. To quote: "No books, tests or interviews.. no classes either. Call us 24h a day, 7 days a week (including Sundays and holidays)". These ones must be desperate!
Here is their number, call at your own risk.

1-212-202-4785

(November 14, 2003) This one is better. It offers diplomas, but casts it in a different manner. It offer "Life Evaluation and Assessment Program" (LEAP for short). And then you can (quote) "graduate through our Fast-Track Degree Program in as little as 3 months". Now, does it mean they will keep your money for three months (interest free) before they send you a diploma? Try for yourself, and of course at your own risk.

1-603-908-7906

(December 11, 2003) Here is another one, a classic spam. Since, aparently, anti-Spam software eliminates offers of diplomas, this one uses the technique of putting a lot of junk that is unreadable for browsers. Their offer: "No required tests! No classes! No books!". They offer Ph.D. too. 24/7, as usual. Enjoy, and call at your own risk:

1-212-208-4551

(January 23, 2004). I was wondering whether the market dried out and it was finished, but pronto a new message. But it is the same vendor! Except that it promises more. To quote: "Degree verification and official transcripts provided when requested by employers and others authorized by the graduate." And then: "Confidentiality assured". Finally (and I like it most): "We will break down the wall that has held your earning power back." Some breaking...

(February 4, 2004). Here is a new one. They introduce a new element: not only all kinds of degrees (including Ph.D.) are offered, but they promise some form of internationalization. Maybe the diplomas are in more than one language? Or just one language, except that it can be chosen? Anyway, here is the contact. Call at your own risk but remember, it is not toll-free:

1-206-984-2641

(March 6, 2004) I just got another one. The anti-spam programs now look for the offerers of diplomas. To pass through the filter this one uses several tricks. First, it puts many characters that are HTML-unprintable. To fool the programs more, it puts a large number of words that are not offensive. All this in expectation that the filter will be fooled. It was not - I got a clear warning message. I like the obviously spammish character of this offer. It is characteristic that it is part of a well-defined club: cheap (probably fake) medicine, fake wealth, offensive morals, and now fake diplomas.

There was one new element. Here not only are they available 24/7, but also they say (quote) "We are located in USA, international callers are very welcome." They now go global, I think...

As in the other cases, here is a non-toll-free number:

1-720-834-2989

(March 12) A new one. Here is the most interesting fragment: "In 18 years as a professional movie critic, I've never gotten the response that I had this week to... " Movie critic? In the diploma business? This is positively new.

And the number (judging from the format non-toll-free) is:

1-917-591-5100

(this one came in multiple copies, with different messages, one had no movie critic at all).

(March 30, 2004) A new(?) one. The reason I am suspicious is clear when you compare the new number and the previous one:

1-917-591-5128

Is it just a coincidence? It seems unlikely, but who knows. These guys say: "Confidentiality assured", and rightly so.

(April 14, 2004) These guys must have reserved a block of phone numbers! Here is a new number (but same content):

1-917-591-5132

The issue, then, is: did I miss 30 other mailings?

(April 23, 2004) New one, new one!

1-212-714-8290

(June 4, 2004) This week I received two mailings, nothing spectacular, just "confidentiality assured", "24/7" etc. Here are the numbers, all new, but are these guys new, or they just change the numbers?

1-302-261-7352
1-650-360-8563

(June 16, 2004) Here is a new one. Usual 7/24 etc. But there is one small thing, worrisome for me. The number in this one has the area code 859 (i.e. UKY). This is the area code of Lexington, KY, where my university is. Now, is it one of our cherished alumni, or maybe one of my faculty colleagues doing some quick business on the side? Hopefully not, but how do I know... Anyway, enjoy the opportunity at your own risk. For me, at least, it would be a local call.

1-859-406-8665

(June 18, 2004) New twist, a spam "College Diplomas for AOL Members". Now, this is definitely a new idea.

1-732-876-0391

Enjoy at your own risk - providing you are an AOL member.

(June 20, 2004) More are coming. There must be a healthy competition among providers of these services(?). This one offers a new element. They provide (it is not clear if this is included, or if you need to pay separately) a Letter of Recommendation. It amazes me how anyone would want to get anything like this. But come think about it, the honorary degrees come with something similar. So maybe it is not so absurd. Anyway here is the number (most likely not toll-free).

1-206-339-6098

(June 24, 2004) Suddenly three numbers in one day! What could it mean? The cost of a line, possibly with forwarding should be rather low, maybe twenty-thirty dollars per month. Then (I guess) an answering service (after all it is always 24/7). Somewhere I read that a diploma may cost a couple of thousands dollars. So the economics is clear. But the clientele? Since we are dealing with a flight-by-night operations I guess that the operators of the mills that triggered this page are no longer there. So if you need that diploma use the more current ones. Enjoy, it certainly is not free.

1-928-832-5344
1-206-309-7258
1-413-702-5871

B.t.w. if you read this page and contacted these people, write a testimony. I will publish reports.

(June 28, 2004) New stuff. Several copies in the mail. These ones are quite strange. On one hand they do the classic spam stuff, defending against weaker spam filters - putting a number of strange strings (on the premise that filter will think it is in some unknown language (Polish?)). But they also do something new. They will not deliver the diploma overnight. In fact you have to wait a month, while you are taking part in their "accelerated program". Ah, the power of second derivative (displacement-velocity-acceleration). Here is the phone number, as usual not toll-free.

1-315-546-9663

(December 28, 2004, 2004). The traffic almost stopped. But here is one interesting, related news. The following was published as one of leading news on AOL. I have no means to verify this, but it is cute.

Did you hear the one about the cat that earned an MBA online? No, it's not the latest watercooler joke, it's actually the basis behind a lawsuit filed in early December against Trinity Southern University, a front for a school run by two Texas brothers accused of selling fake degrees and prescription drugs using spam e-mail. The "school," which offered no classes, allegedly awarded a master of business administration degree to a deputy attorney general's 6-year-old cat for $299. You may think you have your pick of the litter with the increasing number of colleges and universities offering online degree and certificate programs, but stand forewarned. Not every school is reputable. The key when exploring elearning options is to understand accreditation and all of its intricacies. "Schools will advertise that they're accredited, which is what everyone's looking for," says Steven Shapiro, vice president, marketing and communications, Jones International University (Englewood, Colo.). "But what does that mean?"

(December 29, 2004). I was a pessimist. Here is another one. Judging from area code it is not toll-free. Call at your own risk.

1-501-632-2606

(January 1, 2005) What a nice way to start 2005!. I received today another spam offering all sorts of diplomas for sale. Instead of the phone numbers a URL was displayed. Becauses of possible consequences (spyware, who knows what else), I just list its domain. What a beauty: oxxFord.info. The double-x is for the intended audience; one x more, one less, who cares.

(January 18, 2005). Apparently, the press got interested in the fake diplomas scandals. Look at a piece about the problem. Enjoy, a nice story. The bio of the subject of that article, Dr. Laura L. Callahan (Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems) can be seen here. It appears she has been (were?) a member of (quote) National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems Security Committee. My goodness!

I googled the string "Diplomas", and got a phenomenal reference to a page created by a physicist from the University of Illinois. He did a very thorough job. Enjoy, it is very well written and very entertaining. Like the case of "Dr" C. above it is very disturbing.

(June 7, 2005) It looked the diploma mills died, But suddenly here is a new one. Before you look at their offer make sure your anti-spyware is in place. Who knows. The new element is a quote from President Thodore Roosevelt. He must be turning in his grave. Notice the spelling in the key word - it is not my misspelling, it is their attempt to get through spam filters.

Here is the text I received:

You already graduated and have lots of D'plomas in many subjects but there's just one that you're missing and you're too busy to go back to school to get it. If that's the only thing holding you back from the nicer office and better hours then this is for you

HTTP://Anibal.aIkK99.CoM

The chief factor in any man's success or failure must be his own character
- Theodore Roosevelt

(June 17 2005) They are ok, just fine. Here is another one (not that I tried).The original content enclosed in ***

***Instant Dploma in just 5 days

HTTP://Cristina.mynewdg.inFO

for immediate expungement go here : HTTP://Cristina.MYnewDG.InFo/re

Only intuition can save you from the most dangerous individual of all, the articulate incompetent. - Robert Bernstein ***

(Of course you do NOT want to do expungement, this will just confirm you read it, and you will get a ton of other spam).

I tried to google Robert Bernstein. There are numerous, including actors, hair-loss advisors(?), lawyers, psychologists etc. None appears to be involved in a diploma mill.

(June 24 2005) Looks it is the same bunch. They again have just URL and a quote. It claims to originate at Technical University of Vienna, Austria, great place. But it is unlikely. May be the spammers broke into an account there?

Subject: no studying, no books, no classes

Are you lacking academic certification? Is it stopping you from getting a decent job?

http://davy.AiKK99.COM

no future mailing: http://8.AIKK99.com

Go back a little to leap further. - John Clarke

I googled John Clarke. There are/were many. Those include:Master Mate on the ship Mayflower, a physicist, an artist ("John can draw anything") and more.

(June 27, 2005) Here is a new one, came from China. Outsourcing in diploma mills? Read below:

Don't be passing up good jobs just because you lack the appropriate education. Take advantage of an online education.

HTTP://Caitlin.smartwho.info

(And then they write:)
Know thine opportunity. - Pittacus
In fact, Pittacus, one of seven sages of Ancient Greece, supposedly said: "Know the right moment". A deep, deep statement. Maybe they just interprete the same aphorism.

(September 9). Looks like I am not up-to-date. Here are two new opportunities(?)

One claims that there is a "loophole allowing some established colleges to award degrees at their discretion". Some loophole! These guys (very nice page!) promise 100% verifiable degrees. Ah! and you can save $200K too! The offer includes matching transcripts (meaning that the buyer is a crook - the sellers can print what they want, of course).

http://www.onemoreshot.info (That page redirected to another one, b.t.w.)

Here is another one. I did not make it up.

Good jobs require a universityy education. Now you can get one in just a few days, and you'll also get that paper on your wall!

http://cackle.BrAiNsFoReVeR.InFo

Remeber the guys that were quoting all sorts of things, including Pittacus? Here is another one from them (I believe).

The moment you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called love and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed

Wow!

(October 10) Here is a couple of new ones. The first one is from: http://www.clu3less.net/dip/future.asp. Did you notice the previous one (starting with cackle)? This one is from clu3less (3 like in TV series Numb3rs). These guys claim to be in business since 1957. It is signed by "Professor. Sophia Worley" (I did not put this "." myself!). A quick search on WWW found one Sophia Worley buried in Tennessee. The spammers claim that "Through established relationships with distinguished Universities and Colleges, we can help you too". Maybe they can. Miracles happen. Then there was an almost identical spam, this time from "Professor. Reed Larsen"

(October 10). There is yet another one, this one with the phone. Judging from area code it is not toll-free. Call at your own risk.

1-206-350-5982

These guys promise: "Within 2 weeks! No Study Required! Verifiable!

But they are cautious: "These are real, genuine non accredited degrees that include Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees."

And then: "They are verifiable and student records and transcripts are also available."

Finally: "This little known secret has been kept quiet for years. The opportunity exists due to a legal loophole allowing some established colleges to award degrees at their discretion."

This is similar to September 9 guys. Could they be the same?

(October 20, 2005). Here is a new mail. Judging from the phone number these could be the same guys (of September 9, and 10). They offer a diploma from "PRESTIGIOUS NON-ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES BASED ON YOUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE".

They do not, however, include the loophole message, so it is not clear if those are the same crooks.

B.t.w. judging from area code it is not toll-free. Call at your own risk.

1-206-350-2785

(October 25, 2005). I sometimes wonder. Here is a phone number from another spam. Two interesting item. First, the body of the message was identical, save for the telephone number, see below. Second, the body itself (like the previous spam) contained BOTH instructions for the spammer, and the data. But the spammer sent it without eliminating her/his instruction. And the number is:

1-206-279-9144

Call at your own risk!

And EXACTLY the same body, except for the number:

1-206-203-3408

These past spams have an interesting aspect. Phone lines cost. There must be enough of paying customers to support maintanance of these lines. It may be that the Seattle has exceptionally low phone line costs, but still....

(October 27) More of Seattle, and likely of same guys. Here is how they lure the customers (unsuspecting is not an appropriate adjective here):

URGENT

A Genuine College Degree in 2 Weeks

Have you ever thought that the only thing stopping you from a a great job and better pay was a few letters behind your name?

Well now you can get them.

BA-BSc-MA-MSc-MBA-PHD

-Within 2 weeks-

-No Study Required-

-1oo% Verifiable-

And then the write about some loophole (we heard it before). And finally the number:

1-206-350-7390

I wish someone would seriously study poetics of those messages.

(November 11, 2005) New one!, this is one from people who gave us Pittacus.

http://www.FAsterLEARning.INfo

Here is why I think it is from them: "Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what's right." Ah, that sense of morals....

(December 8, 2005) Here is a few that came in the last couple of days. There is one that says "It is never too leate (sic!) to get a certification (MBA,PHD,BA and more)...". This is the one with the 206 (Seattle) area code:

1-206-203-2266

They promise diplomas "within days".

Then there is this one: http://uk.geocities.com/Micky82610Irvin70146/ This must be one of "Pittacus" variety, because they have this dictum: "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." On the other hand, they give geocities URL. I am sure it will be gone in days. (In fact it is already gone.)

The next one says that the offer is sent to me by "private nomination". Must be one of my students. I would not be that surprised.

1-206-338-3579

To quote these guys: "Leave us a message at 1-206-338-3579 if you are interested. " and then signature: "Anthony Ivey, MBA, PhD, Admission Officer" He must have gotten the titles at a discount.

Then there was yet another spam with the same phone number, but it was signed with a different signature: Robert Gonzalez, MBA, PhD.

Any calls at your own risk.

(January 1, 2006) Seattle people strike again! First I had a bunch of 338-3579 mail. They were just signed by different names. Here they are: Tyler Champagne (I am not making this up!), Matt Calvert, PhD, and Rupert Quick. BSc,PhD. Then, there was a mail from Poland (!) but the phone number was Seattle.

1-206-202-1768

This message was signed by one Paolo Douglas. They also had "Client Identification Number" for me. Call at your own risk.

(January 20, 2006) Seattle people (same number!) advertize again. In the past they changed the phone numbers, but now it is the same. The admission officer disappeared but now they give you a Client Identification. How very clever; if you identify yourself they will be able to sell your address as confirmed.

(February 6, 2006) Seattle people (new number, old people) tell me that (quote) "Our online University degree selection is coming to an end." Ah, how nice would it be.... But in the meanwhile here is their new phone number:

1-206-600-7904

They also sign it with "Faculty Department". What happened to Paolo?

(February 10, 2006) The same people (the number is the same, they must be saving on the phone) sent me an email saying that they close the shop on Friday 17. Maybe. The message was not caught by the spam filter.
ThR letter was signed with the name "Andrea Joyce". Since there were so many of these people in Admission Office, I wonder when will they run out of aliases.

Here are Seattle people again. It is "prestigeous non-accredited" university. There is also "Confidentiality assured". And also: "Diplomas and transcripts sent to you within two weeks".

1-206-202-1768

It is signed by "Alice Grover". Now we know that Paolo is gone; Alice is in.

(May 18, 2006) Here is a couple that showed in recent weeks. One promises a prosperous future (and is in service 24/7). They put an identifier so, I presume, they want to see if they can sell you as a confirmed address. In several copies they disguise the identifier as a dictionary word. Anyway, as usual at your own risk:

1-413-376-9218

In another copy of the same spam they address me by "hi bud".

The Seattle people wrote again. The same number is in circulation for almost half a year! As usual, "no one is turned down".

(July 27, 2006) More of the stuff. It must be popular abroad (here is the line: "... and I have a degree from an American University ...")
The first one is from Seattle.

1-206-350-3737

These guys claim: "We can help you obtain a College Degree with classes, books, and exams from a reputable Univ, transcripts included." Sure they can. It is only the question of "reputable Univ".

Here is a next one:

1-815-828-2222

Here is what these people claim: "If you are like most people, you are more than qualified with your experience, but are lacking that prestigious piece of paper known as a diploma that is often the passport to success."

The next one is:

1-484-693-8861

Those claim that their diploma is "Available worldwide". And then they put a small marker (we saw it before) to see who you are. An interesting thing is that they first got a hotmail account (and abused it).

The next ones are from:

001-425-669-4485

Here is a quotation "...and doctorate (PhD) diplomas available in the field of your choice - that's right, you can become a Doctor and receive all the benefits and admiration that comes with it!". The 001-prefix tells me that this one is for an international audience.

Here is the next:

1-206-600-6825

These people are aware that the spam filers are on the lookout. Here is the proof: "Th ese a re real, genuine deg rees that include Bachelo rs, Masters, MBA and Doctorate Degrees. They are fully verifiable and certified transcripts are also available."

As usual, call at your own risk.

(October 27, 2006) A new quote: "Honestly are no called for tests, classes, books, or interviews !". I did not make it up!

And the number is:

+1 206-600-5202

The international code tells me it is addressed to the international audience. After all, one US university, another US university....

And another one:

1-213-596-5768

Call at your own risk!

Here is another quote: "Hey Marek!!. Absolutely are no obligated tests, classes, books, or interviews !" The number is the one with the 5202 postfix.
(There were some additional variations of the same message, too.)

And one more:

+1 (270) 818-7244

(November 28, 2006) I was getting worried there were almost no messages promising immediate riches if I only get a diploma based on my experience. I should not be. Three more arrived (but two are duplicates of earlier ones). In fact the diploma spam is getting a sizable competition on WWW. If you google "Diplomas", you will get several sponsored (Shame, Google!) links. I wonder how many of the alumni (?) of those sponsored institutions are actually hired by Google.

But let us go back to the main line of this blog. The guys of 270-818-7244 spammed me again. Ditto 213-596-5768. One of these added the padding about Rufus, the senior centurion. It worked and fooled the anti-spam.

I also got the message from:

+1 (206) 333-0259

(call at your own risk)

(February 20, 2007) After we introduced graylisting, the number of offers went down significantly. But the stream did not dry completely. The folks at 270-818-7244 sent me at least seven mails over the period of 3 months. There are interesting aspects of their mails. First, they make (I think) deliberate typos. This happened before. But there is more. Moreover they make deliberate grammatical errors. Interesting. Few quotes:
"Absolutely nobody is told off" (sic!)
"Compelete Anonymity ensured" (how?)
"No person is passed by"
"Privacy assured"
"Inheirt the perks and appreciation_that comes with ad.iploma !"
"Nobody is turend away"
"oYu?ll thank me later?" (maybe...)

(February 20, 2007) And one more, pretty conventional. Call at your own risk.

1-213-596-5768

(June 2, 2007) I thought that the sellers of "American diplomas" are gone. But they are not! See below. Observe that they succeeded in fooling our spam filter - probably by moving spaces (`pa ywas' instead of `pay was', and many similar deliberate errors). I suspect that these are the same guys that peddled Pittacus (see above). B.t.w., I did not change name to Zhang...

Greetings Jzhang!.!
A Genuine University Degree in notime!

Have you ever thought that the only thing stopping you from a great job and better pa ywas a few letters behind you name?
Well now you can get them!

Want the degree but can’t find the time? WHAT A GREAT IDEA! We provide a concept that will allow anyone with sufficient work experience to obtain afully verifiable Universit yDegree.Bachelors, Masters or even a Doctorate.Think of it, within four to six weeks, you too could be a college graduate.Many people share the same frsutration, they are all doing the work of the person that hasthe degree and the person that has the degree is getting all the money.Don’t you think that it is time you were paid fair compensation for the level of work youare already doing?

This is your chance to finally make the right move and receive your due benefits.If you are like most people, you are more than qualified with your experience, but arelacking that prestigious piece of paper known as ad iploma that is often the passport tosuccess. 100% Verifiable!

These are real, genuine degrees that include Bachelors, Masters, MBA and Doctorate Degrees. They are fully verifiable nad certified transcripts are also available.

Just call the number below.
You?ll thank me later? (question mark in the original)

Reach Now +1 (484)993-7152 (On your own risk!)
Online Now (no URL provided)

(This is what makes me think about Pittacus) Quintus's bulla lay upon the house altar. Wrapped in an unfamiliarback. Quintus heard scuffling, the snicks and hisses of weapons drawn,if tending to his soldiers were somehow a dereliction of duty andjaunty ahorse. Remember you are a Roman. Tramp, tramp, tramp. The

(September 10, 2007) Long time no see! For a couple of months there was nothing. But then, suddenly, a burst of e-mails. First certain Nolan Spangler () sent me an e-mail with the title: "Order a Ph.D". Of course our spam filtered took it for what it was. Here is the body:

F A S T T R A C K D E G R E E P R O G R A M

Obtain the degree you deserve, based on your present knowledge and life experience. A prosperous future, money earning power, and the Admiration of all. Degrees from an Established, Prestigious, Leading Institution. Your Degree will show exactly what you really can do. Get the Job, Promotion, Business Opportunity and Social Advancement you Desire! Eliminates classrooms and traveling. Achieve your Bachelors, Masters, MBA, or PhD in the field of your expertise Professional and affordable Call now - your Graduation is a phone call away.
Please call:1-206-350-2402 (at your own risk, of course.)

Then the same mail came from "Walker Wolff" (two f's - it should be one, as the mail address was: .) Then there was Edwardo Fenton, same announcement but the phone number changed!
Please call:1-206-888-2083 (but still the area code 206, the glorious home of Microsoft, Amazon and other high-tech companies). Call at your own risk.

Then a certain Pablo wrote. This one is different and draws assistance from US Government:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, with the following degrees, here's how much +you can expect to make in your lifetime:
High School Diploma: $1,100,000
Bachelor's Degree: $2,100,000
Master's Degree: $2,500,000
Doctorate: $4,400,000

You Need a Better Degree, and we can Help! Obtain degrees from Prestigious non-accredited Universities based on you life experience. NO ONE is turned down. Call Now 7 days a week.
+1(206)-3- 090 336

And you call at your own risk. To Seattle....

Then the same message (same phone number) was sent by Rodrigo (twice!), and then by Benjamin.

Then, Tamara Ayala sent the first announcement. The phone number was 1-206-350-2402 (as usual, your own risk), but she promised Business-Admin Degree. Then Winifred Vigil (same announcement, same number) wanted me to "Nominate someone for a degree" (I immediately consulted the list of Nobel laureates and Fields medalists). The message from Charmaine Charles differed by the topic: "University selection underway". Opal Molina asked an important question (quote): Is your skills about to expired?

Finally, Brittany wrote to Casey (but with copy to me) a completely different message under the title: "solid new homes hassle free" (they must work on many fronts):

UNIVERSITY DIPLOMAS Do you want for a prosperous future, increased money earning power, and the +respect of all?

We can assist with Diplomas from prestigious non-accredited universities based +on your present knowledge and life experience.

No required tests, classes, books, or interviews.

Free phone consult 7/24.

+12063502943 (call at your own risk).

(August 24, 2008) With all the publicity in press and the arrests in Seattle (this explains preponderance of 206 area code in many phones above) one would think that the diploma mills gave up. But not completely! See for yourself.

Ms. Ruth Jordan offers me(?) a Business Admin-Degree. Here is what she writes:

WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

We provide a concept that will allow anyone with sufficient work experience to obtain a fully verifiable University Degree.

Bachelors, Masters or even a Doctorate.

For US: 1.781.634.7970
Outside US: +1.781.634.7970

(Call at your own risk)

"Just leave your NAME & PHONE NO. (with CountryCode)" in the voicemail.

Our staff will get back to you in next few days!

This is interesting, for it indicates two things: First, the cost of international calling went down, so Ms. Jordan can call worldwide. No longer must she wait eagerly by the phone - she can call at her leisure. Second, that the whole idea (sell diplomas) is not dead.

(May 25, 2009) I thought that the whole business of diplomas via email is dead. After all there is so much competition from semi-legal operations on the Web. But here is one I just received, courtesy of one of my collaborators.

The network that sends it out operates over a year.

The sender is certain Tanya Dahlia (Google search did not find anything about this individual). Here is what she writes.

Get University Dip1oma/Degree/MBA the easy way, No study/class, at Cheap Price!! olc zfl
(notice the typos etc. so the antispam system does not filter it out).

It's now possible to earn affordable Bache1or, Master or Doctorate Degrees!

Earn a recognized UniversityDegree based on work or life experience from University within 10 days! Get your desired degree on the basis of your Prior Knowledge and Life Experience.

1-718-9895-740 [Inside USA]
+1-718-9895-740 [Outside USA]

No Experience? No Problem!

On the basis of what you already know, you can now qualify for a degree that is accepted and recognized worldwide for an affordable fee.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

* You have more experience yet your colleague gets promoted?
* Many companies where you apply for a job don't give you a call as you lack the basic education they require?
* You struggle in relationships, as 'she' thinks you don't have a promising future?

HERE's YOUR WAY OUT:
It is now possible to earn an accredited degree on the basis of work and life experience you already have and receive your degree in just 10 days!

PLEASE CALL TODAY:
1-718-9895-740 [Inside USA]
+1-718-9895-740 [Outside USA]

Please tell us your:
a) your name
b) your Country
c) phone number with CountryCode if outside U.S.A.

We will get back to you in next working day.

As usual, call at your own risk.

(June 25, 2009) The message below was sent to me by Beatriz Aaron, Isabelle Knutson, and Chase Ashley. Maybe...

Get your diploma immediately.

GET YOUR DIPLOMA TODAY!If you are looking for a fast and cheap way to get a diploma, this is the best way out for you. Choose the desired field and degree and call us right now: For US: 1.845.709.8044 Outside US: +1.845.709.8044 "Just leave your NAME & PHONE NO. (with CountryCode)" in the voicemail.

Our staff will get back to you in next few days!

Call that number at your own risk...

(July 21, 2009) This one was sent to me by Morgan (just Morgan, no other identifier). Here is what she suggests:

We provide a program that will allow anyone with normal qualifications to obtain a fully verifiable University Degree -Bachelors, Masters or even a Doctorate.

Pick up the fone and call us now 1 305 460 8014

Leave your msg including your full name and number to contact you back

Our professor will get back to you shortly.

Now, this message is quite interesting for a number of reasons. First, it does not seem to be directed to international audience (for they would give 001 prefix if it was truly international). Second, is the issue of "professor" calling back. I can imagine a legit University giving someone honorary doctorate (I, actually, attended recently a conference where one of main speakers had that kind of doctorate - same thing) and a professor calling with the offer. But otherwise professors do not call with such offers. The third issue is that, as you can see above a number with the same prefix and same exchange (305-460) was up in 2002. Are they still in business? Or maybe the masterminds are using the proceeds and some local minions continue?

Anyway, call at your own risk.

(September 22, 2009) I got a another mail (from a Francesca Mccall this time) with the message of June 25. Apparently the campaign with that number (845-709--8044) continued through July. Then, in August I received several messages (from Jefferson Peoples, Florine Soto, Salvador Ervin, and Angelo Eason) with exactly the same message, but the phone number changed to: 1-718-989-5746. The subject lines were variable. For instance "Real University Diplomas" (of course the diploma is real, university is not), "Doctorate degree can be yours", "Call for your diploma now.", "Claim your degree.", and "We will call you back.".

Call at your own risk.

(November 21, 2009) They really innovate! Here is what happened. I found a spam message at my skype. It was signed by certain nedra.rachels7805. It sounded familiar. I looked it up in this file. It was the same text that you can find above, as an entry of September 10, 2007. Just that the number is different now; 1-602-212-6770 (Call at your own risk.). This raises an interesting issue. Do they (whoever "they" are) operate for more than 2 years? Do they have a day job? In academia? Anyway, if you need a degree, you know what to do.

(November 27, 2009)

More of the same, same number, same text. Clearly spamsters figured out that skype does not protect from spam. I wonder how long before skype figures.

(November 30, 2009) New messages are coming. Here is one.

BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT! Is your lack of a degree holding you back from career advancement? Are you having difficulty finding employment in your field of interest because you don't have the paper to back it up even though you are qualified? If you are looking for a fast and effective solution, we can help! Call us right now for your customized diploma: Inside U.SA.: 1-718-989-5740, Outside U.S.A.: +1-718-989-5740. Just leave your NAME & TEL. PHONE # (with country-code) on the voicemail and one of our staff members will get back to you promptly!

An interesting aspect of this message is that the phone number is identical to that of May 25, 2009 and very similar to the number of September 22, 2009. Only the last digit changed (from 6 to 0). What does it mean? Do they lease a block of phone numbers? Do they use the last digit as some form of control? Anyway, call at your own risk.

(December 3, 2009). The message is identical (the same typos), but the number is different. The previous one was from NYC, this one is from Chicago. But with practically portable cell numbers this is not surprising; they may be located in Kalamazoo. Anyway, here are the numbers:
Inside U.S.A.: 1-312-260-7939 and
Outside U.S.A.: +1-312-260-7939.
Call at your own risk.

(December 29, 2009). New message. See below. My guess is that this is a new player in the field, First, the message is poor (see marketing marvels above.) Second, they did not figure, yet, that the real audience is outside US ("I have a diploma from an American university"). Spelling is theirs. Anyway, enjoy, and if you are to call, remember - I warned you.

Subject: get any degree you want

Become a college graduate in 4-5 weeks, wow?

We can help you get BBA, MBA, phD degrees.

1-813-283 2668

Call us right now

Leave your message with your complete Phone number, and full name.

(February 5, 2010). The same message listed above as that of November 30, 2009 reappeared with the same phone numbers (call at your own risk):
1-718-989-5740
Outside U.S.A.: +1-718-989-5740.
The only interesting aspect of this message is that the address of the author is spoofed to the nonexisting domain bestsellingwhiskey.com. An interesting sense of humor.

(February 24, 2010). Here is another one. All these breaks and meaningless strings serve just one purpose: to fool the Spam filter. There is just one important string - the phone number. Find it there and call (at your own risk).

G chh et a De ga gree in 4 to 6 Wee mol ks with our pro ws gram! ~We of f hfj er a pro gj gram that will h bd elp AN alw YONE with profe lh ssional expe nx rience get a 100% ve sq rified De pbz gree: Doct vvq orate (PHD), Bach bwe elors, Mas rak ters - Think about it... Wit bub hin a few we ery eks, you can bec rh ome a coll bdf ege gra pbw duate!- Fol gj low YO zv UR Dre ksz ams- Live a bet ev ter life by earn xop ing or upg dk rading yo btr ur de br gree This is a rare ch ch ance to make a rig rj ht move and rec r d eive your due be qa nefits... if you are qu nps alified but are lac cw ki ng that pie hcn ce of pa rh per, Get one fr ko om us in a fra nvv ction of the ti kn me. ~CA pr LL FOR A FR vh EE CON xgz SULTA uby TION~ +1-801-461- 5023 It is your move... Ma whv ke the right dec ow ision. Due to time zo ft ne variat rum ions acr yd oss the cou ui ntry, a rep kq resent ta ative ma y not be in the off mso ice at the time of your call. If that is the case p le tmb ase leave us a me aw ssage with your na kk me and pho kph ne num kqw ber and we will get back to you as so sf on as possi ms ble. Do Not Reply to this E pe mail. We do not re gm ply to text inq fg uiries, and our ser tow ver will rej nj ect all resp pe onse tra rh ffic. We apolo ten gize for any inc cky onve axr nience this m ow ay ha qep ve cau qzq sed you.

(October 28, 2010) And when I thought that they are gone, they are back again! See for yourself:

Want to have a highly paid job but level of your education doesn’t let you have it? Or you maybe you want to realize yourself, but your diploma can’t help you with that? Now you have a chance to get whatever you want with a new diploma. Our service can help you get diploma of any university worldwide and become a valuable employee for any employer. All you need is to call us through one of the following telephones, depending on your location: 1-718-989-5740 (Inside USA) or +1-718-989-5740 (don’t forget to leave your first and last name, as well as country of your living), one of our professional specialists will call you soon after. Don’t be put aside; don’t make employers pick on you and always know that your future depends on your actions!

We saw these guys a year ago, November 30, 2009. This is interesting because, previously, operators of these diploma mills changed phone numbers often. If you call - remember: "At your own risk".

(March 22, 2011) Somehow belatedly (I believe they sent it in 2010) I got from same guys the following message:

You are looking for a job you like but face the diploma problems? There is the solution! Our useful service and your strong will for better life can solve this problem. Now you can easily order any diploma you need in any field of knowledge. We offer for your choice more than fifty Universities and Colleges within US and abroad. Get your masters or bachelors degree right now! All you need to do is just give us a call and leave your name and contact information and our manager will get in touch with you in a few hours to submit the order. Call us at: 1-718-989-5740 (inside USA) and +1-718-989-5740 (outside USA) to get your diploma today. Take part in our special discount program and ask our manager about your personal Bonus.

This is interesting. What kind of a Bonus? I also want a personal Bonus! Even more curious is that they claim 50+ universities to choose from. Enjoy at your own risk.

(May 7, 2011) Two offers in a single day! Here is the first one. Our spam killer had no problem with seeing that it is spam. What is interesting is that I got a couple of copies, sent from various servers.

AFFORDABLE ONLINE BACHEL0R'S, MASTER'S & DOCT0RATE DEGREES

Add Bache1or's, Master's or Doctorate Degrees to your resume in just a few weeks and open avenues to promotion and better jobs!

At your Own Pace!
At your Own Schedule!
At your Own Convenience!

No Examination!
No Study!
No Class!

Regardless of your age, sex, marital status, or location, you can receive a degree in your desired field. All you need is sufficient work, military, or life experience and you are already on your way to an instant degree in your relevant field.

Earn a recognized University Degree based on work or life experience within weeks! Get your desired degree on the basis of your Prior Knowledge and Professional Experience.

Give us a call NOW!

+1-801-461-5094
Please leave us your:
1) Your Name
3) Phone No.
(Unclear if this "3)" instead of "2)" is a control. Also, sometimes in 2010 a very similar number in another message. area code, prefix the same, just last 4 digits different. Something similar happened in the past. The guys, apparently, are from Salt Lake City, UT).

We will get back to you ASAP

(And, of course, call at your own risk)

And another one:

We are proud to bring you the qualitative diplomas: Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate (PHD). Why people are now considering moving to the land of opportunity?
- to become financially successful
- to become professionally experienced
- to be a prosperous person
Everything you can get easier, faster and cheaper!
Are you interested? Contact us. The professional help for everyone is guaranteed.
***********************************************************************
+ 1 - 646 - 537 - 1732
***********************************************************************

We need your infarmation:
1) Your Name
2) Your Country
3) Telephone No. with a code of country if you are outside USA

Do Not Reply to this Email.
We do not reply to text inquiries, and our server will reject all response traffic. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

(Yeah, your risk)

(May 10, 2011) It looks like the Utah people (see May 7, 2011, above) hired spammers to distribute their offer. In the past couple of days I received c.a. 50 very similar messages, same phone number. Maybe they are desperate.

(November 26, 2011). I thought that the phone diploma mills are dying, but they are still kicking. Here is what I received today (two copies):

Subject: ASDA USA careers ticket

AFFORDABLE ONLINE BACHEL0R'S, MASTER'S & DOCT0RATE DEGREES

Add Bache1or's, Master's or Doctorate Degrees to your resume in just a few weeks and open avenues to promotion and better jobs!

At your Own Pace!
At your Own Schedule!
At your Own Convenience!

No Examination!
No Study!
No Class!

Regardless of your age, sex, marital status, or location, you can receive a degree in your desired field. All you need is sufficient work, military, or life experience and you are already on your way to an instant degree in your relevant field.
Earn a recognized University Degree based on work or life experience within weeks! Get your desired degree on the basis of your Prior Knowledge and Professional Experience.
Give us a call NOW!

1-213-403-0169
Please leave us your:
1) Your Name
3) Phone No.
We will get back to you ASAP

Here are some comments: ASDA is the American Stamp Dealers Association, consisting of the guys who cater to those who collect post stamps. Also, the same acronym is used by a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Company in Britain. I wander what ASDA USA is. The phone number is fresh - I did not see it before. The trick with the missing field (2) above was already used in a message where the number had Utah (801) area code. This one, however, is from Los Angeles, CA. Did they move?
And if you call, remember: at your own risk.

(February 12, 2012) With the news of Dickinson State University offering diplomas (apparently for a single-nation customers), I think that the diploma mills are going mainstream. I am looking forward to more accredited universities offering similar service(?).

(February 27, 2012) And indeed, I am receiving emails from places like EarnMyDegree.com, degree.net or OnlineDoctorate. These places seem to be at least tolerated by bona-fide(?) universities (what was shown to me included logos of several well-known schools, but only once; the page is built dynamically, and an attempt to see it again resulted only in likes of Grand Canyon University (I am not making this up)). I am wondering what is the economy of such operations. With the phone it was quite clear; with Web pages it may be more complex. Anyway, if you go to these places, do it at your own risk, and have antivirus software installed beforehand.

Last modified: February 27, 2012