A lot of people require, at some point in their lives, a fake diploma. I'm not here to judge, as I needed one myself (I assure you, the reasons are embarrassing, even if non-criminal in nature). There are many websites that assure you that they are the best in the business, with money-back guarantees, customer reviews and images of those so-called fake degree replicas. Some will ask for a credit card, although most will only accept Moneygram.
My story involves this guy - DiplomaReplication. AndMuchMore.com. The operator of that site presented himself as Chris Morris, from a PO box in LA, CA. On his website he claims that his work was featured in the movie "Accepted" (how original of him) and was featured on CNN (Whaaaaat...?).
Here is the transcript of our communication. It's long, but worth it:
I began with sending him an email:
Hello there, I'm in need of a professionally made Canadian University Diploma and Transcript. I see that you accept PayPal, which is a good thing considering how many scammers there are out there. How professional are your diplomas? Print quality, paper, paper-cut, stamps and seals that are embossed on the stamp and/or paper, and so on? I'm attaching a faithfully looking copy i found on google. Is that something you can do? Thank you.
His reply:
Hello, Yes. 100% exact as the original. I can have the degree shippedand receive within 4 days of payment, I can ship USPS Express 1 daydelivery with package tracking. We no longer accept Paypal. Paypals terms of service forbid selling replicate items, this includes replicated documents. Provide the following information sent to our e-mail address: Diploma only: Full name and address of school desired Full name of StudentExact type of degree requestedGraduation date of StudentReturn Mailing Address Phone#: Orders that include a Transcript: Full name and address of schoolExact type of degree requested Full name and address of student to be placed on the transcriptStudent's Social Security # or Student ID #Graduation date of StudentStudent's date of BirthReturn Mailing AddressIf you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Best RegardsReal Diploma Printinghttp://diplomareplication. Andmuchmore.com
Doesn't acccept paypal, that's not good, i said to myself, but nevertheless decided to dig deeper:
Does that include the embossed red seal? Also, what's the payment process? There are quite a lot of unfavorable reviews regarding your website, rumors of the images being stolen, etc. I realise that those sites themselves might be a scam, so do help me out here to figure who's lying and who's telling the truth.
Him, in reply:
Hello, Yes. The official embossed seal is included. Payment is made byMoneygram, We no longer accept Paypal. The post where made bycompetitors and are not true. We have been around the longest. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Sounds honest, right?
Ok. So to protect me, and you, how does Moneygram protect me from being ripped off? Don't take it personally, I'm just very wary of this industry. How can I make sure that you won't just run off with my money, i mean, who will i complain to if you do? Do you mind setting a paypal account and making this a transaction of, say, books? That way paypal won't be on your case, and i will be protected.
His reply: Hello, I cannot accept payment made by paypal. Moneygram required Iprovide my ID and they have all my details on file. I can no longeruse paypal, you can forward half the payment and the remaining once you approve of the final scan image by e-mail.
Half up front. That's nice. I kept pushing:
What would be the total for such a job? Including the embossed seal (not a print, foil), and good quality paper.
Him: Hello, The price is: $600 USD for the Diploma Transcripts package. Diploma is 100% exact as the original including format, design andlayout with the exact embossed seal of the college (viewable from the back of the document also) The lettering is thermographed (raised). Diploma order include the same parchment and weight. Transcriptsinclude all security features and watermarks as the original with all course material to match your degree, major and gpa. I can also seal the transcripts and make them appear tobe sent by theuniversity registrar office with the return mailing address of the university.
(How would he send a letter from the US to make it appear as if it has been sent from Canada is beyond me, so as you can imagine, i got very suspicious, but i was curious)
At this point I only need the diploma. How much would that be? By the way, what is your name?
His reply: Hello, My name is Chris. The price is: $400.00 USD. Prices can be found on my website listed below http://diplomareplication. Andmuchmore.com
What a nice guy! (and he wants half up front, so that's $200)
Ok. Now listen, I have to cover my ass, so I will wire you $50. When you show me how the product looks, I will wire you the rest. Is that acceptable? If so, I can email you more details.
His reply: Hello, This would be a waist of my time. I actually need to create degrees for paying clients and customer service, you can forward half and the remaining once you verify everything is correct. The degree will take 8 hours to create, including the custom molds for the embossing. It's not as easy as it's made out to be. I do not print offa inkjet printer.
Sounds like he knows what he is talking about, right? I decided to "bite":
Ok, fine. I sure as hell hope you are not a scammer. How do I wire you the money, and what additional info do you need to make the replica look good (btw, I am not going to use it for employment, this is strictly to get the family off my back)? Thanks
His reply: Hello, Payment details are listed belowProvide the following information sent to our e-mail address: Diploma only: Full name and address of school desired, Full name of Studen, tExact type of degree requested, Graduation date of Student, Return Mailing Address, Phone#: Delivery to will take 3 days once payment is made. I ship USPS Priority w / Package Tracking and Delivery Confirmation. Payment Details are below. Payment is sent by moneygram. MONEYGRAM CAN BE FOUND AT ALL WALMARTSAT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK OR FIND A LOCAL MONEYGRAM AGENT AT: http://moneygram.com Information to give moneygram is listed below. Chris Morris LA, CA 90077 USA. I will need the transfer information once sent through moneygram. 1. Money Ref # (8 digits) 2. Amount Sent: 3 Senders Name: 4. Senders Telephone #: 5. City and State sent from: I look forward to your business, If you have any questions, please.
Sweet. I've sent him some images and email him again:
I'm attaching the files that explain what has to be done. Please email me when you get it so we would be on the same page. P.S. If you do this right, i will send you another $350 on top of the $200. All i ask is for professionalism. Thank you.
His reply: Hello, Thank you. I understand everything perfectly. I can create the complete replication of the seal and logo. 100% exact. I have actually replicated this degree many times. I have the complete replicated template for the seal and logo in psd format.
I decided to test him again:
Could you email me the file? Not in psd format, I don't want to steal your hard work - in jpg even, just to see that it really exists. Again, I'm sure you understand why I'm being cautious.
His reply: Hello, They are vector files. They cannot be uploaded through e-mail because of the file size.
Vector files?! Why would he need vector files for this?
I know, that's why I requested a jpg file (a screen print of the template, these files are no bigger than 500-600 kb. Thank you.
And that's when it happened. He emailed me back a screen-capture of his desktop. He took the images i've sent him, stripped them down and tried to pass them for a template he had used before. What he didn't know was that i have changed the logo just a bit, a very personal touch that he couldn't have had in his "database" of "templates", and guess what? It miraculously appeared on his template.
At that point, i was already very angry, so i decided to go the extra mile. I've contacted the production companies of the "Accepted" movie, 'Filmtools', 'Direct Tools and Fasteners' and even 'Shady Acres Entertainment', that have politely explained to me that they do not know who this guy is, and that the diplomas in the movie were made by a print-shop in Orange county.
Hence, I decided to let him have it (my last email to him, and no reply so far):
Clearly you have never operated a thermographic printer or made custom embossers. You have got to be KIDDING thinking that I would not spotthat you have quickly photoshopped the same images I've sent you myself, and tried to pass them for a template you have on your computer...? Seriously? Come on. P.S. I've spoken on the phone with Mr. Long's agent, and he gave me the name of the production company and their phone. So it turns out you did NOT make the diplomas for the movie 'Accepted'. Clearly, I will not be forwarding you money via Moneygram (Chris Morris, wasit?). Good luck next time.
Do you know what's the lesson, kids? If you expect any of those online fake diploma companies to send you anything once you've forwarded them the money, you are fools. Your best bet, if you really need that fake diploma, is to find a freelance graphics designer that has access to thermographic printers and embossers, and can keep a secret. You can find them on elance and freelancer and other websites like that. Do NOT be tempted by all those websites you see on google, they will not print you a diploma and you will not get your money back. Trust me.
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