A fake university established as part of a sting operation to expose student visa scams has netted 21 suspects in mass arrests carried out by American immigration authorities.

The detainees were charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and other offences after their activities were unearthed by the University of Northern New Jersey, a phantom institution set up by the United States department of homeland security.

The “university” had its own website, a Facebook page, a seal featuring the Latin terms “Humanus, Scientia, Integritas”, a plausible menu of business degree options, and the enticing offer of “an exceptional education experience”. Its address was listed at an office in Cranford, New Jersey.

In reality, it existed only as a homeland security department front aimed at flushing out the methods of criminal networks behind visa fraud and understanding how fake universities work.

Those arrested acted as brokers who allegedly conspired with more than 1,000 foreign nationals, mainly from India and China, to falsely maintain student visas and foreign worker visas through a “pay to stay” scheme. Some of those arrested are naturalised US citizens, while others are legal permanent residents.