CENTRAL ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU always in the interest of Poland Corrupt and trade of diplomas at the university - News

Trade of diplomas on a massive scale

Officers of the CBA Regional Office in Rzeszów are conducting a multi-threaded investigation under the supervision of the Silesian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor's Office in Katowice. The evidence collected during the preparatory proceeding shows that there was an illegal trade of diplomas at one of the universities in Warsaw, which has several branches in Poland and abroad. People involved in criminal activities accepted financial and personal benefits in exchange for issuing false diplomas, including documents entitling them to hold a seat on the supervisory boards of state owned companies.

The ongoing investigation also includes the thread of attempted fraud against the National Health Fund, involving the acceptance and giving of financial benefits.

Corruption charges against seven individuals

On February 21, 2024, acting on the orders of the Prosecutor, officers from the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau Regional Office in Rzeszów detained a total of seven individuals in the Mazowieckie and Łódzkie Voivodeships.

The arrests were made in connection with an investigation into the illegal trade in diplomas. Six individuals, two women and four men, were detained. They include members of the governing body of a private university in Warsaw and individuals involved in recruiting people who were interested in obtaining a university diploma without having to take exams or attend classes.

During searches of the university premises and the residences of the detained individuals, officers from the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau  seized cash, electronic equipment, and documentation.

One person was detained in connection with an attempted fraud against the National Health Fund, as well as for accepting financial benefits by a person holding a managerial position and providing false information in their property declarations.

All detained individuals were taken to the Katowice Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Public Prosecutor's Office, where they were charged with, among other things, corruption.

Temporary detention for suspects and other preventive measures

In the case of three suspects, the Prosecutor has applied non-custodial preventive measures in the form of: bail deposits ranging from PLN 40,000.00 to PLN 60,000.00; Police supervision and a ban on leaving the country with the confiscation of passports.

For one person, the following measures have been applied: a bail deposit of PLN 100,000.00; a ban on leaving the country combined with the confiscation of a passport; a ban on contacting other suspects in the investigation; a ban on entering the university premises.

The Prosecutor supervising the case has submitted applications to the Court for the application of a detention preventive measure in the form of temporary detention for three other suspects.

In the case of one person, the Court has ordered conditional temporary detention for a period of three months, stipulating that this measure will be changed on condition of paying a bail deposit of PLN 100,000.00.

In the case of two people, the Court has accepted the Prosecutor's applications and decided to temporarily detain the suspects for a period of three months.

Appeal to Participants in the Criminal Scheme

Individuals involved in the criminal scheme of illegal diploma trade are urged to come forward immediately to the Katowice Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Public Prosecutor's Office or the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau Regional Office in Rzeszów to avail themselves of the exemption from punishment under Article 229 § 6 of the Polish Penal Code.

CBA Press Team