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Fake degrees: Prosecutors seek institute owner, possible prison time
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Fake degrees: Prosecutors seek institute owner, possible prison time

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Paraguayan prosecutors have ordered the arrest of the head of the ISICS institute for allegedly selling unaccredited doctoral degrees.
  • The institute, run by Brazilian national Ismael Fenner, is accused of fraud and using fake documents to offer master's and doctoral programs.
  • Fenner faces potential pre-trial detention if he does not appear before the court by July 28.

Paraguayan prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Ismael Fenner, the alleged operator of the ISICS institute, accused of selling fraudulent doctoral degrees. The investigation centers on allegations that the institute offered master's and doctoral programs in legal sciences, education, and public administration without proper accreditation.

Fenner, a Brazilian national identified as the director of the Instituto Superior Interamericano de Ciencias Sociales (Isics) in Paraguay, is also known as the director of the Facultad Interamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FICS) in Brazil. Authorities raided a hotel in Asunción on July 16, where clandestine postgraduate classes were reportedly being held for Brazilian students.

They told them that this higher education institute was accredited by Cones and the Ministry of Education. As a result, the Ministry of Education filed this complaint from several people who were already victims of this scheme.

— Aldo CanteroThe prosecutor explains the basis of the charges against Ismael Fenner.

The Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) filed the complaint, stating that ISICS lacks accreditation from the National Council of Higher Education (Cones) and is not recognized by the MEC. Officials suspect the institute may be using the name of a legitimate educational entity to deceive students.

Prosecutor Aldo Cantero confirmed that Fenner is charged with fraud and the production of false documents. He explained that students were led to believe the institute was accredited by Cones and the MEC. Fenner has been ordered not to leave the country and must appear before the court by July 28 for a hearing on precautionary measures. Failure to appear could result in pre-trial detention.

He is under arrest warrant. If he does not appear for his measure imposition, his rebellion will be ordered.

— Aldo CanteroThe prosecutor details the legal consequences if Fenner fails to present himself to the authorities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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