Fernandez (centre) with two of the students who claim they were cheated.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — Hundreds of students from India and Nepal claim they have been cheated of RM20,000 each by a college in the city.

The Women's Force Association (Tenaganita) said the students were cheated by the college for internships, job placement and a diploma course in cruise management.

Executive director Irene Fernandez said: “Police reports have been filed by the students but they have neither been notified of any police investigation nor have they been called in for interviews.

“This scam was also reported to the former Ministry of Higher Education, but no action was taken as the college continues to operate,” Fernandez said.

She claimed the college had raked in millions of ringgit through fraud, false advertisements, false certificates and empty promises of job placement.

“More than 400 students had paid over RM20,000 each for the cruise management course after going through an orientation programme at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu by the college.”

“While the college claims to be registered with the Ministry of Higher Education, the experiences of the students have not only been bitter but their hopes in getting jobs in highly-recognised cruise companies with good salaries have vapourised with false promises.

“Why have the police not acted against this fraud? Why is there such poor monitoring and governance over private institutions of higher learning?”

Fernandez wants the authorities to seal the college and arrest the directors for fraud and exploitation of student visas.

“They must also refund all monies paid by the students and have their operating licence revoked.”

The college told The Malay Mail that it would issue a statement today.

Students reel from bad experience

On his arrival, India national Faheem Khan, 24, was forced to submit his passport to receive his “student” visa, which turned out to be a work visa instead.

He said he was given a “Food Beverages Services Certificate” for a programme he never attended. A “Cruise Ship Diploma Certificate” dated Aug 23, signed by the head of training was also given.

Faheem was sent to work at the Doubletree restaurant at Hilton Hotel and Furama Hotel for 12 to 16 hours a day under an “internship programme”.

He was told his training would only be four hours a day, but he was made to work longer and was not paid extra.

Faheem made several attempts to ensure the college kept its promises but failed. Consequently, he filed a refund claim for the full amount of RM19,250 with the Consumer Tribunal. He won the case and the college was asked to refund him the amount. However, the college made an appeal to the High Court.

Faheem then represented himself and argued the case as a breach of the Contract Act 1950 and how he was misled about the Cruise Management Diploma.

The High Court on November 19 upheld the decision of the Consumer Tribunal.

Rajni Karia claimed to had paid over RM20,000 for the same course.

Nepali students Rojani Risal and Rajni Karia (picture) claimed to had paid over RM20,000 for the same course.

Risal, 22, said she was given three days to pay RM2,000 after receiving the offer letter. She had to immediately pack her bags and arrived from Nepal on October 9 last year after being informed that classes were commencing the next day.

She travelled with her friend Karia who had also been told the same. They both arrived at KLIA at 9pm but were denied student visas. The Immigration Department issued them a temporary working visa as stated in their offer letters.

They had to wait until the next morning when a van driver picked them up and dropped them off at the college.

They were also not given a place to stay and were told that classes were to begin only on November 6 instead of October 10. They ended up living at the hostel lobby for two weeks.

Both were also asked to pay more as the college stated the previous RM19,250 was insufficient. They had to pay another RM1,000 if they had wanted to continue.

“We demanded a refund but were denied. They told us if we wanted to go home, we could. But how could we when they also refused to return our passports?” Risal added.

They are now still working under the college's internship programme.