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Fraud Colleges Admit Terror Suspects to UK

Alleged al-Qaeda members enrolled in ring of fake schools

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2009 8:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands of young Pakistanis have entered Britain by applying for visas to study at sham colleges that issue fake diplomas and attendance records, the Times of London reports. Ten of the 12 men arrested last month when police busted an alleged al-Qaeda plot were enrolled at a bogus college; other terror suspects have been registered at a school with nearly 2,000 students but only three instructors.

Eleven colleges in London and northern England, all established in the last 5 years, are controlled by three young businessmen from Pakistan—one of whom recently fled the country. British police yesterday arrested a man associated with two of the schools who has been linked to two murders in Pakistan. Hundreds of the "students" are from the North West Frontier Province, the troubled region near Afghanistan seen as the heart of the insurgency.

Armed anti-terrorist police apprehend a suspect outside the library of John Moores University in Liverpool England, Wednesday April 8, 2009, during a series of terror raids in Britain's northwest. (AP Photo/Lewis Cornford)

Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, who has since resigned, was photographed clutching sensitive documents as he arrived in Downing Street for a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. (AP Photo/Lewis Cornford)

Twelve men were reportedly arrested in the raids, which were prompted by a security blunder by Britain's top anti-terrorism police officer. (AP Photo/Richard Souter)

Britain's Home Secretary Jacqui Smith reads a statement to the House of Commons, Monday Oct. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/PA)

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Fraud Colleges Admit Terror Suspects to UK

Alleged al-Qaeda members enrolled in ring of fake schools

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Pakistan said it had no forces in area when airstrikes were called

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'There's a lot of smoke. Is there fire?'

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Fraud Colleges Admit Terror Suspects to UK

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Pakistan • United Kingdom • student • colleges and universities • North West Frontier Province • Home Office

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

Karzai: Pakistan Behind Kabul Attack

Death toll hits 60 in twin Afghanistan bombings

Pakistan Cleared Deadly Hit: US

Pakistan said it had no forces in area when airstrikes were called

Angry Pakistan Orders US to Vacate Air Base

Pakistan furious over killings, violation of sovereignty

US Soldiers Suspect Pakistan Fired on Them

'There's a lot of smoke. Is there fire?'

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?