Mainland agents offer fake high school credentials to secure Hong Kong degree places

Education agents on the mainland are now selling fake international high school diplomas and transcripts for around 298,000 yuan (~HK$340,000) to help students with poor exam results gain entry to Hong Kong undergraduate programs, including those at THEi under the Vocational Training Council (VTC).

Shift from master’s to undergraduate schemes

Following recent revelations of mainland students using forged qualifications to enter Hong Kong master’s programs, some agents have shifted focus to undergraduate pathways.

Shenzhen agency claims VTC authorization

One Shenzhen-based agency claims to hold official recruitment authorization from VTC and guarantees admission to THEi undergraduate courses.

The service includes arranging an international school background, issuing a new high school transcript, and preparing the student for admission interviews.

Low scores accepted

A reporter posing as a customer contacted the agency about a high school student scoring only 324 in mock exams. The agent immediately said the plan was viable as long as the budget was met.

They explained the student would be given an international school record and a fabricated transcript, replacing the original results entirely.

The agency insisted no real attendance at the school was required, but the student would need to attend training in Shenzhen to pass THEi’s interview. The transcript would be produced by the school without the student sitting any exams.

When questioned about the validity of such documents, the agent replied that the arrangement was handled through their connections with Hong Kong institutions and assured success where the student would fail alone.

They refused to name the specific overseas school until a contract was signed, citing that schools were no longer accepting orders at that time.

The agency said it assists many students annually who fall short of mainland university requirements.

Document validity and risks

They admitted the fabricated transcripts are limited in use and obvious to experts, as the student never actually studied at an international school.

For the September intake, they recommended a Canadian Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) pathway with a mainland student identity.

Alternative cheaper option

An alternative, lower-cost scheme costs about 100,000 yuan (~HK$120,000) and involves two years of higher diploma study at VTC before progressing to THEi, with employment prospects in Hong Kong.

This requires a minimum academic threshold, roughly 350 in Gaokao plus 80 in English, though the agency claimed slight shortfalls could be managed.

VTC and THEi position

VTC and THEi both stated they have never authorized any agency to handle recruitment or applications, offer guaranteed or priority admission, or act as an official partner.

They maintain zero tolerance for fake credentials, rigorously check all documents, and will revoke offers or cancel enrollment if fraud is detected, referring cases to law enforcement if necessary.