CNN has a feature called iReport, where it engages regular netizens into helping CNN with certain coverage of hot events as well as some local or national interest stories. Unfortunately, it seems that scammers have managed to infiltrate a fake article advertising a nonexistent university (so-called "empty diploma mill") called Riverbanks University.
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Below is the CNN iReport, as shown at 10PM, 20-MAY-2013
This alleged report was posted in March, and was the ONLY report ever posted by this user.
A quick check of the photo provided shows it's just a stock photo from iStockphoto
There is no record of this university physically existing anywhere in the world. Its only presence is a website, and it's a .COM, not a .EDU.
Searching Google revealed that a different blogger also infiltrated AllVoices.com and left an article about this nonexistent Riverbanks University as well.
Strangely, a week later there was another iReport from CNN about a "Riverbank Academy", except this one stated clearly it's in Malaysia and it's an IT training firm, not a university. However, it also used a stock photo (this time, from Fotolia, an European stock photo site) It is unknown if this is related or merely a coincidence.
Checking the university website itself reveals a properly designed website, but completely absent of names, location, or such details, with text and photos that could have been copied or "spun" from any real university website.
And what do we find at the University website? Links to those two reports.
They reference each other. It's a circle-jerk.
They say they are accredited by UCAIS. UCAIS accreditation is NOT recognized by US Department of Education as DoE have no listing for such an agency.
Link to the UCAIS website shows that this supposedly "accreditation agency" can't even spell its own logo correctly.
This is a FAKE school, using a fake accreditation agency, who then through shills created FAKE PROOFS of itself by abusing news outlets' "local news" reporting.
Fake schools costs thousands of dollars for a diploma that's not worth the paper it's printed on. Don't you fall for the same tricks.
