On September 29, 2026, Polish authorities arrested 11 individuals in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Collegium Humanum scandal, a case involving fake diplomas and money laundering. The arrests, conducted by the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) and Border Guard, follow a previous conviction of six individuals in a related case.
Silesian Prosecutor’s Office Directs Operation
The arrests were carried out on the instruction of the Śląski Wydział Zamiejscowy Prokuratury Krajowej (Silesian Branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office). According to the prosecutor’s statement, the 11 individuals—six arrested by the CBA and five by the Border Guard—were linked to two private higher education institutions. The operation is part of a broader investigation into a network of academic fraud, including the issuance of fake diplomas and money laundering, involving 26 universities.
Multi-Threaded Probe Unfolds Amid Previous Convictions
This is a continuation of a multi-threaded investigation into the trade of diplomas and money laundering, said Jacek Dobrzyński, the spokesperson for the Minister of State Security Services. He noted that the suspects had held high-ranking positions at the institutions, with some still in service and others having left in the past.
Warsaw Court Hands Down Sentences in Related Case
Just days earlier, a Warsaw court had sentenced six former rector and pro-rector figures from private universities for accepting bribes. The court imposed prison sentences, fines, and restrictions on holding leadership roles in educational institutions.
Investigation Since 2018 Unfolds With Over 400 Charges
The investigation has already led to 475 charges against 83 suspects, including politicians, public officials, and university administrators.
Collegium Humanum’s Role in Diploma Fraud Exposed
Collegium Humanum, established in 2018, was accused of issuing fake diplomas for MBA and undergraduate programs without requiring actual coursework or exams. A former rector, Paweł Cz., was alleged to have accepted bribes to issue these documents. The scandal extended to multiple institutions, with some no longer operational but still implicated in falsified records.
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11 Suspects Set for Formal Charges in Katowice
The 11 arrested individuals are expected to be transferred to the Katowice prosecutor’s office, where they will face formal charges.
Prosecutors Highlight Ongoing Legal Actions
Details of the scandal and its reach were outlined in a statement from the National Prosecutor’s Office, which noted that the arrests follow a previous conviction of six individuals linked to the same network.
26 Universities Implicated in Academic Fraud Network
The multi-threaded investigation, as described by Dobrzyński, involves 26 universities, including those no longer in operation. The prosecutors emphasized that falsified records with retroactive dates were used to conceal the scale of the fraud. The case has drawn attention to the role of private institutions in facilitating academic misconduct, with 83 suspects facing 475 charges in total.
Identity of 11 Arrested Suspects Remains Confidential
The National Prosecutor’s Office has not yet released detailed information about the identities of the 11 arrested individuals, citing ongoing procedures. However, it confirmed that the suspects were detained on the same day as the arrests and are set to be transported to Katowice for further legal processing.
Political Figures Among 83 Suspects in Probe
The case has also prompted scrutiny of the role of political figures and public officials in the scandal. Among the 83 suspects, prosecutors listed politicians, local government representatives, and university administrators. The investigation into the network of academic fraud remains active, with the National Prosecutor’s Office indicating that further actions will be taken as the probe advances.