Scam Uncovered: Part 1

26days before my last day at work, 30 days before my Euro trip begins, and finally 57 more days before I bid adieu to the country I've becomed so fond of, and to Liverpool that I've felt so ever passionately about. Over the years, I've grown to appreciate the basic things in life and seen people from all walks of life (in which I should be counting myself lucky for)... however, it brought me to realise how far complicated one's life is and also how cynical the society has become.

I remember those days when I used to burn the midnight oil trying to do everything possible to reach as far as any academicians would, or for that matter, even when I was in Liverpool, forsaking everything just to support myself in pursuit of wearing the grand robe, receiving the scroll and bla bla bla... but in just a matter of these few years, many things have changed. I feel there is no more meaning to the word honour anymore. It's all a whole load of bollocks! While universities in Britain are bracing itself for a tremendous influx of foreign students (thanks to the expansion of EU and also massive advertising in Asia), they are also raking in billions of pounds from genuine and also unscrupulous accounts. Whatever happened to those hard earned titles or Honours in the past? It really baffles me how money talks, bullshit walks. Right, I've heard all these before but these days, it seems everything is possible with money... and that includes buying a degree or even gaining entry into universities. I mean, c'mon, universities in Britain are considered to be the creme de la creme of universities in the world with the likes of Cambridge, Oxford, Kings, etc... but NOW, after experiencing some very exciting encounters with other peers, I feel let down by the whole system. Let me cite this example and you judge by yourself.

I know this person, J, a foreign student who has a network of friends in the UK as long as the Queen's honorary list (and I am not joking). This person is one of charisma and character and J's contacts not only include friends from the native country but also friends who hold legal and authoritative positions in this country's hierarchy. Incidentally, we are close friends and I do get to hear a lot of very unjust dealings that has been going on lately although I believe J's not part of the scam. Then, there was this one fine day when M, another close friend of mine who happens to know J, contacted J and begin confiding in J. I listened closely and began to have mixed feelings on how to help M. M's predicament was of failing to gain entry into university after faring badly in M's second attempt in 2 years. My first reaction was of course of advice from the experience I've had but it came to a grand halt when J smiled and interrupted our chat with an outgoing call. M and I continued but a minute later, it came to another halt as J interrupted us for the second time (after finishing the call)... only to start explaining a series of terms and conditions (as seen in most agreements) to M. I was utterly shocked, baffled, stunned, and most of all, ANGRY. The terms were short, precise and simple, .... "What course you want to be enrolled in, your name, address, start date and which university?". The conditions were... "Have your bank details ready in 3 days. Amount payable for entry gain to university of your choice with no holds barred = £3000"!

Without a doubt, this of course triggered a series of shocking but hysterical celebration by M which was understandable by his means but CERTAINLY not by me! I wasn't a bit amused by this scam to be honest. I tried so hard to abstain from bursting out in anger that I kept quiet and left the impromptu celebrations to themselves. It was during this period that I thought long and hard to myself... was it worth the while for me to FORSAKE everything when others are having it so easy! Nonetheless, my conscience reassured me that I was made out of the real material and NOT a bogus scholar. Five months on, M failed again and has left the university not only with a broken spirit but a broken person. Nevertheless, all is not lost as M has vowed to make a comeback during the next term commencement and in the mean time, announced a period of leave-me-alone to let-me-down-all-my-sorrows and go for a long awaited break! For J, a sum of commission must have been pocketed and shared between the other bastards of this scam. J's income will never be shortcoming in the near forseeable future and neither will J's accomplices be. This is because, the scam is never ending with other prospective plans lined up during the entire academic year which includes BOGUS Graduation ceremony packages starring bogus scholars, robe hire companies, bogus deans, lecturers and a complimentary scroll with a truly authentified certificate of your CHOICE. The much common packages include the sorry-but-rich-ass kids buying out of courseworks while they are partying all night long wasting their life away. This forms a network of scam, one of MONEY TALKS, BULLSHIT WALKS while there is the other one of an-innocent-man trying to earn some money while there is. Coming to think of it, they are all pretty lucrative in a way. I was the latter.

The story continues...

Happy Chinese New Year

.... Its Chinese New Year... that time of the year again... just like Christmas... with a bit more spice to it. However, I find it strange that Christmas now to me is much more celebrated than CNY because there is so much more atmosphere from where I am at the moment. Plus, I have not celebrated CNY since 1999 which makes it even harder for me to grasp what is it like celebrating CNY at home now that the turn of the century has passed. I suppose its much more different now. Anyhow, CNY is another day here in Liverpool, work as usual and the only difference between the years is that I've become a vegan for the day... the first day that is. This has never been attempted before and its my first. I've cleared the attempt and I have vowed to continue doing so for the years to come.

At the other front, business as usual but things are getting a bit more stressed with lots to do. Ordered them boxes today and hopefully it'll arrive next Tuesday so that I can actually start packing and ship the whole lot out by February. Things are beginning to come together and lets just hope everything turns out well. Till then... ta' and more updates soon.

Strange Week

It has been a strange week indeed. So strange that I've had to crack my brains to think of the previously unthinkable. Started with Liverpool losing three in a trot, and how often do you see that? Then it was with two of my closest allies... it was a case of '...at the wrong place and wrong time...' the turn of the weekend was thought to be better but it turned out worse! Smart Wings cancelled my local flight from Rome-Prague and I am left with the mess of sorting out my other cancellations with the hotels that I've booked in for including Rome and Prague respectively plus my flight back to London. Well... I thought shit happens... I'll sort it out but before I finish meddling with my mess, there comes another one. Another ally of mine was detained and is in detention in Manchester now before being transferred to another detention center in Oxford tomorrow. No reasons given for his detention but honestly, this is the case of 'why does all good people have to die first...?' scenario... He was just earning his noble living in peace and this shit has to happen! I know shit happens but damn... I just hope things get better tomorrow or by next week before the New Year of the Rooster sets in. Pray for me! Till then...chao'... 76 more days to go...