Anyone who expressed interest in receiving an award would be given several cost options, including a £9,300 “VIP package”

This article is the subject of a legal complaint from Europe Business Assembly Limited, Mr Ivan Savvov and Mr Anton Savvov



The University of Oxford’s academic reputation is being exploited by Ukrainian businessmen selling millions of pounds worth of fake awards and honours, The Times can reveal.

The Europe Business Assembly (EBA) advertises itself as an Oxford institution to sell made-up prizes such as “The International Socrates Award” and “The Queen Victoria Commemorative Award” for up to £9,300 a time.

Former staff say that they were encouraged to approach developing countries, sending mass emails and cold-calling foreign businesses and academics with claims that they had been nominated for an award. Anyone who expressed interest was told that they had to pay several thousand pounds to meet…