Another clue that an online learning system is actually a diploma mill is that the name of the institution is deceptively similar to a well-known, reputable university.

One famous example of sound-alike learning systems is Columbia State University, run by Ronald Pellar, the famous hypnotist and fraudster who ultimately pled guilty to nine counts of mail fraud associated with the mill. His nonexistent distance learning system brought in enormous profits for him and his employees.

Just how lucrative was Pellar’s diploma mill business? Suffice it to say that part of his sentence, in addition to eight months in prison and a restitution fee of $45,835, was the forfeit of his $1.5 million yacht.

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