Duped Indian students ignored red flags

[ChromeFoundry]

Jan 31, 2011, 12.16am IST


WASHINGTON: Hundreds of Indian students who have gotten scammed by a dodgy California-based university had it coming. Tri-Valley University (TVU) had a reputation as a "Diploma Mill" that offered a spurious route to employment and immigration in the US. Inquiring students and professionals knew about it, discussed it in immigration forums, and warned others about it.

But eager beavers looking for a short cut to emigrating to the US through a questionable academic route ignored the red flags. After US authorities busted the scam, an estimated 1500 students, some of them gullible victims, some of them scheming immigrant hopefuls, face financial loss, loss of credits, loss of time, loss of face, and in some cases, even face deportation.

Here's how the scam unfolded: India, from among all countries, has been sending the maximum number of students to US colleges over the past decade – some 10,000 to 15,000 each year. Most aspiring students try and get into the top 50 schools, which have stringent qualifying standards, including exams such as GRE and GMAT, besides TOEFL, an English proficiency test. The process involves gaining admission on the basis of test scores, in lieu of which the university, if it accredited and complaint with US rules, sends an I-20 document to the accepted student, which he or she presents to the embassy or consulate in the home country to get an F-1 student visa.

Much more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Duped-Indian-students-ignored-red-flags/articleshow/7393658.cms

A continuation of this story:

Immigration fraud: Hundreds of Indian students may be deported from US

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=584669

[Newsjock]

1. I'd wager that the ratio of "scheming" to "gullible"

was somewhat greater than 1:1.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Thats BullShit - they KNEW the school was a SCAM

India abuses the visa process more then any other country

[Skittles]

6. CORRECT

[OhioChick]

3. Says it all.....

"Inquiring students and professionals knew about it, discussed it in immigration forums, and warned others about it."

[johnroshan]

4. I'm positive that almost 90% of the students knew

that this was not a legitimate school. I just completed my graduate degree in engineering from a SUNY as an international student. When I visited Washington, I personally met several students of a similar school, who pay the fees, but never attend classes. They work illegally in stores and supermarkets and at the end of their term, get a diploma.

Apart from a very few minority who might have got scammed by agents in India, I'm sure the rest knew very well that what they're doing is illegal.


John.

[somone]

5. So they came here to get internet access for an online school?

Gullible, my ass

[Skittles]

7. duped

riiiiiiiiight