BBC’s Newsnight were able to purchase two forged visa letters which would be accepted by Embassies across the world as genuine, from a college rated A by the UK Border Agency. Both documents were bought for £200 or less.
Whilst this is old news in terms of a criticism of the system – the electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies replaced visa letters on Monday – it is shocking behaviour from the people deeply involved with the college.
Under the old system, all student migrants to the UK had to be sponsored. The details of this sponsorship were details in a student visa letter, containing personal details and course details, as well as details of all money paid. This invitation to study in the UK is worth 30 of the 40 points required to get a UK student visa under Tier 4 of the Points Based System. The remaining 10 points is awarded for adequate funds.
The Newsnight team were tipped off about a secret office run by people connected to Gateway2K Education in Wembley Park, London. It was from this office that forged visa letters were being openly sold for cash.
Following covert surveillance over several evenings, several deals were seen to take place in plain view outside the block of offices. Many people came and went; cash was counted in full view and people left with white A4 envelopes.
The Newsnight team went further and undertook an undercover operation. They were able to purchase the two documents, one from a former administrator from Gateway2UK Education.
Having been able to identify one of the men involved in the scam – the former administrator – he was traced to India, where he didn’t even deny his involvement. Newsnight reports him as bitterly regretting being involved in the fraud, but he played just a minor role. In fact, he accuses the owner of Gateway2UK Education – Indian entrepreneur Darpan Shah – as the brains behind the scam.
Predictably, Darpan Shah has made a statement denying these claims, through his solicitor. He said that during his time as owner of Gateway2UK Education he had little control or involvement in its day-to-day running. He would not comment on the accusations of the former administrator traced to India.
Darpan Shah’s solicitor told the Newsnight, “Mr Shah would like to make it abundantly clear that he has played no part in the sale of bogus visa letters.”
Principal Knows Nothing
Despite Darpan Shah’s denials, he was owner of Gateway2UK Education for 25 days in January and remained a director at the college until 5 February 2010. Newsnight purchased the forged documents on 2 and 4 February.
Newsnight took the forged documents they purchased to the Principal of Gateway2UK Education at their Hayes Campus. To say that Principal Jeremy Coulton was visibly shocked was an understatement; he looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights – couldn’t really get his words out! He said he had no idea visa letters were being forged.
After searching his own office, Jeremy Coulton found around 160 bogus applications; all received from a company in Baroda, India called Krish Immigration. This company is owned by Darpan Shah also.
Darpan Shah told Newsnight when asked about this coincidence, that he has “no operational control […] and no knowledge of fraud” at Krish Immigration. He said, “There has not been any allegation of wrong-doing previously,” adding that “Krish Immigration… prevents forgery and fraud”.
Darpan Shah claims that he has been unwittingly caught up in both the frauds in the UK and India. He argues that it is his business partners and former colleagues who have acted without his permission. He has now sold Gateway2UK Education to persons unknown.
Gateway2UK Education’s sponsor licence was rightly suspended when the scandal was uncovered. It was inspected on Tuesday, 24 February 2010.
Darpan Shah has close links to two other colleges in the UK, both of which have had their sponsor licences suspended pending a full and proper investigation by the UK Border Agency.
Whilst the UK Government has taken good steps to tighten up processes and restore control, in an industry worth over £8 billion a year, there will always be those trying to con and scam for a quick buck.
The Newsnight Report
To all those students who are missing their spouses due to coming to the UK for study i suggest that you all start using SKYPE.
How can you possibly afford to maintain accomodation food travel and other expenses for your other half whilst studying is beyond me.
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Hi Happy in UK
So true. Consider the maintenance requirements:
If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must show £1,600 per dependent.
If you have been in the UK for more than 12 months, you must show £533 per dependent.
For yourself, if you are applying from within the UK, you must show £800. If you are applying from outside the UK, you must show £2,800.
All of these figures must be cash deposits and the total amount required must be in your account for a minimum of 3 months.
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hi Daniel…
Is their any news from london school of business and computing…..wht happend with their licence….thank’s
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Hi Alena
I think that this school has closed. They are no longer in their registered premises.
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Can you guys tell me anything about LTC College London & Mr. Darpan Shah ‘s fraud on his 3 colleges ??????
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Hi Moin, Yes Darpan Shah was a very corrupt manager who got rid of all his teaching staff from LTC (me included) cos they wouldn’t accept a paycut even tho he only paid them 8 pounds/hr and the staff had to join a union to get compensation from him.
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Hi Pio.. Im also enrolled in Saint PAtrick College and till now they still suspended .Any update from them.I heard they are already inspected last Feb15.Hope it will be a good news in the next few week soon.I lodge my documents last Dec15 and till now i dont have visa.Do i have to take IELTS too eventhough it is not required for us in time that we submitted our documents..Good day.
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Hi Anne
Suspension lifted 4 March 2010.
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Hi Happy in the UK
You write so much sense.
I, for one, am getting more irritated by so many who come to this country and then DEMAND certain privileges – like, for example, employment. When students apply for a visa they submit an account that shows they have enough money to live on! We all now that in the majority of cases that is just a lie. However, HM Government still gives a window of opportunity and allows work to take place.
That is a PRIVILEGE and not a right! Despite this so many work more than their allowed hours. Many flout the terms of their visa and this impacts on their college education as well. At the end of the line we have so many students who bring down the reputation of colleges and universities because they are out working rather than studying and thus cannot get good grades.
The “UK owes me a living” attitude is nonsense. When foreigners come to the UK they must respect our right to set our own laws and sort out our own problems – students come here and the records show they have enough money in their bank account … so, the ten-hours limit or the twenty-hour opportunity is more than enough.
The UKBA is still getting its act together but it is making a great effort to make our borders stronger.
There is an interesting TV series on UK BORDER CONTROL. Listening to some of the lies and watching the drama by some applicants is a real eye-opener.
Students are welcome to come to the UK to study – work within the visa conditions … that is all. If anyone does not like it then they must return to their country – and the sooner the better. Spongers are not welcome – only real students.
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Ah ha, good old UK Border Control. Your a fan too?
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A thought has just struck me!
Is the immigration / visa status checked with the UKBA for every college owner and member of staff? Is the documentation, if presented, real or fake?
If foreigners have work visas then maybe they should be forbidden from entering the education arena – either directly or by proxy. Enough is enough and the many who have made easy money because of their scams should also have their assets removed. My thoughts go out to those unhappy students who are suffering the fallout from the GATEWAY2UK scam.
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Ban all migrant workers from being company directors unless they are in the UK on the equivalent of the old entrepreneur visa.
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hi daniel
any news on london school of business and computing.thaks
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Hi Emran
I think that this school has closed. They are no longer in their registered premises.
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Mr. Daniel,
plzzzzz inform me something about Rayat London college, when this college will come out from the suspension list.plzzzzzz reply me soon.
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Hi Ravindu
Do you know roughly when the college had their licence suspended?
It can take schools and colleges anywhere from 3-6 weeks to several months to be inspected by the UK Border Agency, for a Sponsor Action Plan to be drafted if needed and to be re-included on the Register.
You should keep checking the master list of college suspensions to see when your colleges suspension is resolved.
Only the college and the UKBA will know for sure. After inspection, 32 days is set aside for correspondence, so it isn’t a quick process. Find out more on the timescales: what happens to my education provider if their licence is suspended?.
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rayat london college is suspended on 20th january and inspected on 25th feburary….hope so it will be back within few days and the college authority said it will be back in next week.
Note:-Rayat london college is the 1st college of who started taking the student with ielts only.They do not accept student without ielts.
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I have submitted my case through VFS on 12th February with my appeal win call letter. But my institute GATEWAY2UK EDUCATION is suspended now. I want to know its current position whether it will be back in tier 4 list soon or not.
Wait for your prompt and positive reply
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Hi Tayyab
Gateway2UK Education has their sponsor licence suspended on 16 February 2010. It is therefore unlikely they will get it back anytime soon – the process can take several months.
However, Gateway2UK Education has also been found to be involved in visa fraud. When interviewed, the UK’s Immigration Minister said this college would be closed down, however this can not be clarified.
Given the situation the college finds itself in, I find it unlikely they’ll get their licence back. However, they could well be re-instated as a B rated institution, with very strict programmes of improvement to follow.
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hy. Daniel
i m shahzad. i submitted case same college. thn college suspended so that college will come back. i m waiting still. due to back.plz tell me college come on register colleges.
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helo tayab. plz contct me here
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Mr Woolas, the Immigration Minister is out of touch and his pathetic defence on Newsnight is yet another evidence of the need for new blood in the system.
Frauds are still underway, Mr Minister!
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He leaves a rather bad taste in my mouth too. Slimy every time I’ve seen him.
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Boys & Girls
Don’t worry, Darpan Shah, Jermy, Ketan Patel, Nigam Shah, Rupesh Patel, Avani Shah , Jaimin Shah are old players in this education market. They will work hard to get the college back on track or buy another college to continue their trade. Don’t waste your time on this. All is well
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http://www.gateway2uk.com
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Very Informative reply:-) seems u know them very well n one more thing i truly belive either college is back with rating B or they purchase another college as they already own 4 colleges 3 suspended 1 is still issuing admissions Money Rules…may b my reply is dissappointing but sadly this is reality
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Yes sadly as Bruce mentioned were the owners checked themselves, seems like alot of the colleges were set up by students themselves.
They made money short term and cheated alot of students, there intention was never education.
These colleges who have lost their licence or found themselves suspended have only been established for a few years and most just around the corner from each other. It seems indian resturants on every corner have now become dodgy colleges on every corner, why did the uk allow this is beyond me.
the new rules of 10 hours again is pathetic as anyone around students will no they all work 3 jobs , no wonder there is no jobs for the british!!!!
Bogus colleges will not be able to survive any longer, if any slip thr the net they will not be able to cope with the new system, just wait and see……
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The thing is, this makes quite a scary point; there is a lot of corruption, wider than colleges and education.
If people with student visas have been able to set-up companies, they must have used dodgy formation agents and lawyers, as well as potentially dodgy visas too.
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Given the high profile nature of the incident the Government may take a stand and make an example of the college. I therefore think it unlikely the college will get their licence back.
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Did not understand your post, are you condemning these guys or appreciating them?
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Well obviously i m condemning them but the truth is everyone is involve i blame everyone weather its UKBA,Overseas consultants, v as student as v pay less to just go their n work there, and last not least people like darpan shah well wat u think ukba is not aware wats going in these collegs wat they all doing is just remove few colleges n add sum more thats it if on the name of strict rules u just suspend few institutions which sumhow again again appear as b rated college so how come u xpect that this thing ends well if a ministed on tv show just saying that this is not visa letter its just a fake letter he know very well how many students get visa on those fake letters so if u ask me i dont blame people like darpan shah i blame ukba loose policies anyone can play with the rules if u sumhow allow him thanks
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Actually my question was for Administrator ?
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Let’s remember that not everyone is a crook or a bogus student.
There are just a few people who have been allowed to get away with bad practice for years and their time is coming to an end.
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Do you care to respond to any of the allegations in the video? The links between all the people you mention? Are will you conveniently ignore the wealth of evidence before you?
I’d still like to know if the college’s new owners plan to take legal action against the ex-employees who were responsible for the scam.
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Administrator,
you have no idea how big this is. I know this guy, Darpan Shah’s brother in law. When Darpan Started making this huge amounts of Cash in this business, left the USA to come to the UK. This guy, Hiren Baxi, worked as a IT consultant in the Washington DC area. He had just purchased a new house and had the new home ceremonies and house warming. The very next week this guy, Hiren Baxi, left over night, so that he can Cash in also side by side with his wife’s scamming brother, Darpan Shah.
The next thing you know several months down the road, and most likely after the raids, Hiren Baxi is back and sighted in the USA and Washington DC area.
Word from the Family is that Hiren Baxi has made several millions. If Hiren Baxi made several Millions imagine how much money Darpan Shah made.
Just a thought.
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hello sir,
I have got the visa from gateway2uk education college and now the college is out of the list .so what shuold i do .can i travel to uk or not? if not so tell me what’s the procedure to travel to uk
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Naeem I think you or any other student who has received a visa for gateway2uk education will not be allowed entry in to the UK upon arrival. All the more I think that UKBA has/will withdraw their license permanently. Malpractices of the college have been recorded on video. THis is a very strong piece of evidence to close down the college. All the more, many colleges who are playing by the rules are have a great difficulty in getting back their license so there is no reason gateway2uk will be able to get back in to business with their scam now exposed. If the college goes out of business then students it has on roll in the UK may be required to switch to another sponsor within a specified time frame. lets wait and watch…
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THANX ALOT sagar 4 giving me these info plz tell me if u know any thing about the college
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SAGAR, can u tell me when the college is back on the list my last joining date is 11 march so plz guide me .
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Hi Naeem
You will not be able to travel to the UK. The UK Border Agency advises all students in your position to remain in their home country until the suspension is resolved.
As it has been found to be involved in visa fraud, it is likely to take a long time for the suspension to be resolved. Have you seen our post, visa fraud uncovered at Gateway2UK Education? It has loads of info and a video with all the details.
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thanx daniel
can u tell me if i am taking the N.O.C from the college n take addmission in another collge then can i travel to uk ?
plz tell me
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Hi Naeem
You will be able to travel to the UK if you have a visa from a sponsor with a valid licence.
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Darparn shah is also invloved in St George’s college london.
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Thanks for the really great information Patel.
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Yes Patel, I am agree with you.
Darpan Shah is involved in..
> St. George’s College
> LTC College
> Unity College
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I heard news anchor saying this system is failed .NO that’s not true I am consultant here in Pakistan. Let me tell you this system has stop lot of forded visa applicant from applying.
One the other hand UKBA also made it difficult for student to work more then allowed hours. And as for as attendance of student is concerned it also has to be up to date
But let’s talk about another fact according to my view now only about 5 to 8% students are able to abuse this system so let not forget 92% students who are genuine. Just because of few bad people calling all system I would say is unjust.
this system is working and its automatically bringing out bad so it can be addressed.
Immigration minister rightly said lot of student visa’s are refused rightly or wrongly that’s another question but one example is that on 25th feb 2010 students documents were sent back with refusal stamp on it at Islamabad UKVAC office. Reason for refusal was that studnt did not provide Visa letter . but Visa letter was right underneath refusal letter in documents received back..
so UKBA is refusing some time with no obvious reason but just refusing. and that because student lost Right of Appeal.
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I’d like to agree with you but unfortunately your math is a little off, more like 90percent are bogus students and 10percent are genuine.
You just have to look why so many came as soon as the ielts was lifted. This recent influx of students were not genuine. I am happy the government lifted the ielts as it showed who the main perpertrators were, who their agents were and what countrys they were coming from.
It made it easy for ukba to clean the dirt out of the system.
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I think 90% bogus is a little too high; this would implicate almost every education provider in the UK!
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Hi Daniel
I agree with you – 90% is also bad mathematics but, however, there are far too many crooks still in the business and the system does need more muscle!
It is apparent that the initial inspections by UKBA, and either ASIC or the BAC might need tightening up as well. Being published on the lists of approved colleges assures people that all is well. The subsequent let down is not pleasant. Confidence in the system is VERY low at present. Would it be wrong to enquire whether the payment of fees for acceptance on a list might have something to do with the problem?
Maybe, an accountability check should be run. If a college is proved to be a scam college then an audit as to the inspection and the inspectors might need to be run. A revealing profile might then emerge! It appears that human nature remains open to temptation at every turn of the road.
Maybe, inspectors need to have training from those on the ground – it might help just a little.
When will the powers-that-be sit down and CONSULT with the stakeholders? They have, over the past years chosen to do nowt and now they are rushing through their paces – BUT fail to CONSULT with those of us at the coalface. Why? Why? Why?
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Hi Bruce
I think that a good approach would be to make all agents sending students to the UK register with a government regulator. They should be subject to professional regulations such as lawyers and accountants, in that client funds should be held outside an agent’s current account, a level of auditing should be in place, etc. Further, agents should be expected to stand behind their clients and take responsibility for their intentions to study and English level.
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Being involved with education consultancy, I think Tier 4 is great. I’ve found other approaches to be far too subjective, although one could argue the points based system is too objective.
I’m sure we’ll find a happy balance in the future.
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Hello All
College is suspended from UKBA. New owner is giving refund to all Gateway2uk education students after deduction of certain %.
New owner does not speak English but is genuine although the sign on agreement seems suspecious but all is well. All students should come in and fill in refund form to collect their refund.Only genuine students will get refund, doggy letters students please go to the source through which you got your letter, if they do not give you your money speak to London Metropolitan Police for same.
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http://www.gateway2uk.co.uk
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Hi Administrator
First, thanks for coming and proving your students with this small chunk of news.
Don’t you think that given the circumstances, you could refund students all of their money? Charging a % seems a bit cheeky to me, you could at least charge a reasonable admin charge to cover costs.
Could you perhaps explain the rather suspicious link between the old and current owner? Don’t they share the same lawyer? The same lawyer who is also involved with an immigration company which was the source of many bogus applications? It seems to me that much greater effort could have been taken to distance the college from these murky waters.
You say that only genuine students will get a refund – how will you distinguish fake from genuine? Can you clarify what procedures you will follow, so everyone can know where they stand?
Also, as it has been confirmed that ex-employees of the college were involved in the scam, will you be taking legal action against them as they have seriously damaged the reputation of the college?
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience – I’m sure all your students and our follow readers do too.
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Thanks for the ipdate daniel
Well today i got my visa but as U know gateway2uk is suspended well after this scam wat are the chances is it can b back on tier 4 list well i just talked to my principal well thier are few ? in my mind well the current management is not involve in this scam as bbc insight story reveal that the previous owner do all this well i talked to the principal he said he tried to clear out the situation well on jan 10 my frnd send me my admission from gateway2uk after receiving my visa letter for verification i chked n verified it online then i call @ college n talked to the principal and asked them to verify through their official email addreass n he verify with his official email add which is info@gateway2uk.co.uk I STILL HAVE THAT EMAIL IN MY SAVED EMAIL well i talked to the princiapal today n he said the empire building office is not connected with us in any sense he said v will be back in business as the scam is created by sum group n they are not connected with us in any sence he said yes may b old owner is sum how involve in this but its not us who do such dealings neither v play with the future of ur students he said v r currently provide education to more the 600 students he added more whoever take those fake admission why he take it from sum office located in wembley park why he dont take it frm sum other office why not he contacted us to clearify such admissions he added why v get blame for what v r not responsile for he said v try ur best to clear out things frm ur end to UKBA…..
so daniel what are the chances one more thing i would like to know if my current college gateway2uk provide me a letter of no objection if i change my college n another a rated college issue me vas visa letter m i able to travel then?? like london sam college take permission from UKBA for those students who got their visas and unable to travel as caution suggested by ukba on their website after getting approval all students of london sam college suspension travel and continue their studies so is that possible to take permission from ukba in same senario i dont have any problem to reapply my visa with another institutaion but i just dont like to waste my precious time as a student for me time is everything can u please guide me please help me mate thanks
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has london sam college got thier licence back
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No Natasha, as of 1 March 2010 their suspension has still not be resolved.
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Such colleges not only issue the visa letter but also letters fr council tax and tfl subsidy at an extra charge. thus they also affect local councils and transport for London .
gateway2uk is only a tip of the iceberg. there are many more college in this shady business. If the names of such colleges begin to get revealed, it will result in closure of large number of colleges in London. it should also be noted that many of these institutions until they were suspended operated on a A license from UKBA. therefore UKBA has some introspection to do here.
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I agree Haseeb, that practice is particularly shameful. I wouldn’t say all the blame lies with the UKBA – it has been successive Governments in the UK who have failed to heed the warnings coming from the industry, chosing to ignore the problems instead. Up-coming election has prompted this quick and decisive action, which has in reality created a quagmire.
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now daniel its mean gateway college is blacklisted? after that fraud
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Hi Ali
No decision has been taken yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose their licence. The Immigration Minister did say in his interview that the college would be closed, but you can never believe anything politicians say in interviews, trust me.
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Do any of our readers know of a person identified as an ASIC inspector accompanying an official from a college that has just been “outed” by the UKBA?
Reportedly, the ASIC official has made promises to secure ASIC registration to AT LEAST two colleges if they signed up to the now exposed scam college that was featured on NEWSNIGHT.
In so doing we will continue to purge our education system of dishonest and devious practices and claw back ground sacrificed to the greedy practices and shady dealings of criminally liable activities.
If you have details – then let the UKBA and ASIC know. Your confidentilaity will be respected.
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Shocking revelations.
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HI, plz diz gateway2uk education that was alleged of fraud is the school i am applying for even i have been given my visa since last week with their visa letter that they sent to me lik a month ago …………..i just want to ask that can i travel to uk beacuase i wil lik 2 change my school from them…………plz respond ontime……..thanks.i am in nigeria rit now
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Hi Azeez
The UK Border Agency advises students of education providers whose licence has been suspended should remain in their home country until the suspension is resolved.
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Darpan shah is also involved with unity college and LTC college
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That’s for the very useful information worldenron.
+1
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i have a pending visa application..i submitted my requirements on December 29, 2009. I’ve heard about scams like the one above and I’m worried if my college is involved in such. Albion College’s sponsor license was suspended. They had their UKBA inspection on Feb 10 but I havent heard any news about it since. I wonder how long the results should take. I’ve also heard that the new rules are effective on March 3. So, do I also need to take the IELTS? I took an English exam last year, TOEFL. I scored 92/120. Will that be enough. I’ll wait for your reply. Thanks. God bless you!
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http://giliwness.wordpress.com/
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Hey Giliwness
As your visa application is pending, you will be subject to the old rules; the new rules will not apply to you as you applied before 3 March.
Following an inspection, around a month is set aside for correspondence between the sponsor and the UK Border Agency. Hopefully we can expect news in the middle of March.
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Well done, NEWSNIGHT!
There are more colleges still running similar scams!
How do the BAC and ASIC respond to these issues?
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hi Daniel..
The st. patrick college’s representative came over in our country last feb. 22. And the only thing he required us is the ielts. I will have my ielts as early as possible. If i am done with my ielts, i am ready to go, he said. Please pray for me people. My exam will be on march 26.
I’ll keep praying for all of us. Thank you.
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Thanks for the update Pio. Good luck with preparing for the IELTS. Keep me updated with your studies and if I can help at all, I’d be more than happy too.
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