Not everyone who earns a fake degree online is being scammed. This is the conclusion that I reached in the course of surfing the Internet, when I came across thousands of websites that proudly scream, “Want an MBA? It’s yours for $19.50”, or, “Yours for free – Any of our 20 degrees”. This brought to mind an observation a friend made – as long as there are people who buy stolen goods, there will be crooks around. So as long as people want a degree without the hard work and effort that goes into earning it, the Internet will continue to churn out fake diploma mills.

Why is there such a huge demand for fake degrees anyway? With all the talk of employers not accepting even genuine online degrees as equal substitutes for regular degrees, does it make sense to buy a piece of paper that proclaims that you are a graduate or postgraduate in a particular discipline? In the unlikely case that you do manage to find a job based on the fake degree, will you be able to discharge your duties efficiently?

Arguments may arise that on-the-job proficiency is not related in a great way to theoretical learning. And I fully agree! But if you do not need a degree to excel at work, you should be able to secure a job even without the fake degree. All a fake degree does is to lower your self-esteem. It may look good hanging on the wall in your office, but it is a constant reminder that you have not earned it. So before buying that degree online, think not once, even twice, but long enough to make you decide not to go ahead.