If a person knowingly buys a PhD from a diploma mill, then sells books and private sessions under that PhD...?

Question

is it a crime?

If the books, CDs, and lessons were sold via internet and in person over state lines, is it a federal offense?

What is the name of this crime?

Who should I contact if I want to report it?

What is the punishment?

Answer 1

Actually, a diploma is a diploma is a diploma. A good example of this. A guy that works in my wifes office has been pushing himself off as a doctor. He has the diploma to prove it. Unfortunately for him the company finally got around to doing his background check after two years and he was fired. Thats about the extent of the action that can be taken.

The really sad part of the story is that he was able to secure a new position with a different company base on the work he did for the company my wife works for. So did he really lose anything or did he gain?

Now, you might be pissed about the entire story, I was, especially since my wife actually went to school for her degree. Turns out the idiot screwed himself by doing some other things wrong and was fired from that company. The funny part is that he tried using my wifes company as his last employer at another firm he applied with. They called the day he applied because on paper he looks like a great find. Boy did they ever give that human resources person the skinny on that idiot!!

Answer 2

You would contact the FBI because once it crosses state lines it becomes a federal offense. Punishment would vary depending on his record but he could be looking at hefty fines and possibly 1-5 years jail time.

Answer 3

Falsification is the crime committed by using a counterfeit diploma and impersonation is another crime for the selling of books, CDs and lessons using a fraudulent doctorate degree.