Ever imagined a random day where you are scrolling through your phone and suddenly a pop-up email notification catches your eye? The subject line reads “ Congratulations, Doctor!”. No years of attending classes, no redoing thesis 20 times, no midnight study session, no night and day works at labs or reports. But here it is. The email that shows an invitation specially made for you, which claims you have been chosen for your great service and contribution towards society. The only thing you need to do is click on the link you get your free Honorary Doctorate degree.

Soon, your imagination runs wild. You are standing amidst renowned people in a formal, elegant ceremony, dressed up in a shimmering gown. Yes, the same stage where popular personalities made statements. A large crowd is applauding your contributions. Your name on big banners, conference rooms, and top magazines. You can’t help but notice that they didn’t address you by name same as any typical person. Everywhere you see your name, with the title Dr.Hons included.
You’ve been brought back to reality all of a sudden, and that’s when you take a moment to think. A free honorary doctorate degree, isn’t it too good to be true? Then you become your detective and search high and low for guaranteed results, but in vain. Lucky you, I have got you covered on everything you should know about a free honorary certificate in this blog.
What’s Hidden Behind The Flashy Title Free Before Honorary Doctorate Degree?
Top-recognized universities often award genuine honorary doctorate degrees. They are legitimate and come with high recognition of honor. But one should always look out for the word “ free” since it can be a starting point for dangerous traps. For the last decade, many people have found themselves scammed in these traps, and several that are still ongoing. People fall for the promising ads and fancy compliments they use to brainwash and fake institution titles that read prestigious, popular, etc.

Some notable incidents you should know:
1. Burkes University online Scam:
Serge Belamant, former CEO of Net1 Group, addressed himself as “ Dr. Belamant”. For claiming an honorary PhD in information technology and management from the Burkes University, from an invitation email from the Burkes University. After a detailed investigation, officials discovered that the award was fake, leaving him a victim of a scam.
2. Anna University India:
Top-class actors, music directors, along choreographers received honorary doctorates at an event held at Anna University. However, the association that presented the award was nonexistent. The university rented out the auditorium for the event. Upon hearing the public outcry, the university filed a complaint, and the police arrested the two people for the scam.
3. Axact Internet Fraud:
A fake university named Belford, mainly organized by the Pakistani fraud group Axact, sold fake degrees online. The authorities shut down the organization in 2012, and they sentenced the CEO to twenty years in prison.
4. Rochville University Scam:
This university offered prestigious degrees in the form of ” Life Experience Degrees”. Later flagged by authorities as an illegal and unaccredited provider.
And the list goes on. From the above few listings, you can see that top CEOs and celebs, to ordinary people, fall into these scams, expecting that their work should be recognized and honored, but result in scams, money, and identity theft. Have you noticed how a top ceo or even celebrities easily fall for this trap? Well, it is undetectable since often done flawlessly.
How Is The Free Honorary Doctorate Degree Certificate Scam Approached?

First: Advertisements for Honorary Doctorate Degrees
- They reach out to you through flawless and professional social media dm, email, or WhatsApp.
- Or through genuine-looking posters or ads online stating “ Free honorary doctorate degree certificate”
- They likewise use official mock logos and business language, and sometimes a fraudulent signature or seals of a higher position to portray themselves as a trustworthy source.
Secondly: The Bait
- Using your online profile in social media and posts, they praise you with praises and praise your “contributions to society” or “ your achievement”.
- Similarly creates a promising scenario of “ How you are a great role model” or even a fake story of them as a fan of your services.
- Using call to action and creating urgency by offering “ limited time” or “ reply in 48 hours”.
Thirdly: The Contact
- Approach you smoothly without a doubt to get your details, particularly personal details.
- Then, additionally ask for verification fees or processing fees, or certificate delivery charges.
- Following up with your bank details.
Fourth: Fraud execution
- They use your information, such as personal or private details, along with your bank details.
- They process your payment, but no follow-up message or a certificate.
- Some send fake-looking certificates with no valid honor.
Fifth: Lifelong damage
- Society will ruin your reputation if exposed that you were holding a fake degree.
- Potential theft of savings from your bank.
- Blacklisted by other professional media or academic records.
We all agree that scams ruin people’s feelings and trust. It discourages us furthermore, making us hesitant or cautious beings. So instead of making us give in to possible fraud, let’s also look at the ways we can prevent ourselves from being scammed.
How To Verify a Genuine Honorary Doctorate Degree Certificate:

First: Reach or Receive
- You can reach out popular, authorized, or recognized university through its accredited website.
- Otherwise, these recognized universities reach out to you regarding an honorary doctorate degree.
Secondly: Pause
- Don’t reply or share anything immediately.
- Take your time exploring and searching.
Thirdly: Verify the Honorary Doctorate Degree
- Search the institution’s or university’s official website and explore their protocol pattern of reaching out to candidates.
- Particularly look for their accreditation data from any prestigious site or listings from the government.
- Cross-check check domain, logo, seal, contact numbers, or the faculty who reached out.
Fourth: Check Alumni or Recipients
- Legitimate universities or institutions straight away post the public candidates’ lists and selection criteria.
- Look for a magazine, or press release, or news online.
- If no proof of public posting, be suspicious and watch out for any further postings.
Fifth: Direct Contact
- Contact or reach out to the institution directly through their public contact via email or call.
- Ask whether the award is legitimate and if you are on their list.
- If verified, proceed to celebrate guaranteed achievement. And doubt remains, report to cybercrime authorities.

Accredited Universities That Offer Honorary Doctorate Degrees For Free:
Bonus: If you ask me for a solid tip that helps you to skip these steps and gives you a legitimate approach for a hassle-free, non-time-consuming process for a genuine certificate, and online, then I would recommend you check out these profound universities.
Dunster school of business:

- The Dunster School Of Business is known for its top-class contribution in presenting honorary doctorate degrees online for people who should be recognized for their contributions they have made towards society evidently.
- Accredited by globally top authorized bodies such as AACSB, ACBSP, and, along with QAHE, EAHEA.
- They are awarding a wide range of programs from an Honorary PhD to Master’s and bachelor’s certificates.
- All you have to do is follow their easy three-step procedure to get your certificate.
Florida institute of science and management:

- This institute recognizes individuals who are innovative in science, technology, including management.
- The accreditation of FLISM is flawless since it is recognized by EAHEA and has a global QS star rating for its authenticity.
- Additionally, they focus on top-notch curriculum and honorary doctorate degrees making them a strong icon of mentorship and innovation in education.
- Receiving their online certificates from bachelor’s, master’s, to honorary degrees comes with no hassle.
Conclusion:
A free honorary doctorate degree certificate can be an exciting acknowledgement. Obviously, only if it comes with a genuine certificate from an authorized and recognized university. Accepting a fraudulent or fake degree not just wastes your precious time but also tarnishes your reputation and security in society. Before celebrating your selections or clicking on a “free” sign or sharing your degree online, pause and do your research. The title that was awarded to you should speak recognition and honor, not fraud or scam. The award you receive is given to you for your story; don’t be a volunteer victim for a few minutes of awestruck offers. Just because it is free doesn’t mean it should be poor. You deserve the highest honor, so move cautiously.
Recommended Reads
- What is an Honorary Doctorate(Honoris Causa)?
- Top 8 Honorary Doctorate Degrees In UAE
- Top 8 Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Dubai
- Dunster Business School Partners with Henry Harvin®, UAE
FAQs
Yes, you can receive an honorary degree online from the comfort of your home.
True, many scammers have committed fraud, in the past and some are still ongoing. One should verify the source to prevent it.
Best to contact the institution by reaching out through their official website details.
Report it to the authentic institution and cybercrime authorities.
Application or Nomination, Evaluation, and Ceremony.