On Tuesday, the press team of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) announced that its officers, in cooperation with Border Guard officials, detained Taras G., the vice-rector of Collegium Humanum. The man was involved in issuing 2,400 false documents.
Five Criminal Charges
Taras G. was arrested on Saturday at the Medyka border crossing as part of a multi-threaded investigation into irregularities at Collegium Humanum.
The Ukrainian citizen is suspected of participating in an organized criminal group that issued false certificates of study and diplomas from Collegium Humanum.
A prosecutor from the National Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice charged him with five offenses, including involvement in an organized criminal group, accepting financial benefits, falsifying documents, and making crime a permanent source of income.
Fake Documents
Investigators found that Taras G., collaborating with other university representatives and serving as vice-rector, organized an illegal scheme as a so-called “recruiter” to issue fake study certificates for Ukrainian citizens.
Pre-filled certificates confirming fictitious studies at Collegium Humanum were sent to the university. With Taras G.’s involvement, false documents were issued to interested individuals of Ukrainian origin.
“Preliminary findings indicate that at least 2,405 false documents were issued this way,” the CBA reported.
Prosecutor Katarzyna Calów-Jaszewska from the National Prosecutor’s Office stated that in exchange for fake certificates, Taras G. facilitated payments exceeding €850,000 to Collegium Humanum. “He and other university officials committed the crime of accepting financial benefits. It was established that Taras G. received an €80 commission for each fake certificate,” she added.
Three Months in Detention
After giving his statement, the prosecutor requested his detention, citing the severity of potential penalties, risk of evidence tampering, lack of permanent residence in Poland, and flight risk. The court ordered a three-month detention for Taras G.
Collegium Humanum, established in 2018 in Warsaw, was a private university offering fast-track MBA programs and other diploma schemes, often used for promotions in state-owned companies. Some diplomas were issued without proper education, backed by unaccredited foreign partner institutions. Graduates included politicians and executives of state-owned companies.
The investigation currently involves 64 suspects facing a total of 347 charges. In early May, former heads of the State Fire Service were also charged in the case.