Alla Navolokina: The Mastermind Behind Europe’s Biggest Educational Fraud
Alla Navolokina: The Mastermind Behind Europe’s Biggest Educational Fraud
An investigative report exposing the international education scam that has defrauded hundreds of students across Europe
By: Educational Fraud Investigation Team
Date: October 7, 2025
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Executive Summary
In what may be the largest educational fraud scheme in modern European history, Dr. Alla Navolokina has emerged as the central figure in a sophisticated international scam that has defrauded hundreds of students and stolen millions of euros through a network of fake universities across Ukraine, Poland, and Malta.
This comprehensive investigation reveals how Navolokina, operating under the guise of academic respectability, built an empire of fraudulent educational institutions that promised legitimate European degrees but delivered nothing but broken dreams and empty bank accounts.
The Architect of Deception
Dr. Alla Serhiyivna Navolokina, born in Ukraine, has spent over a decade perfecting the art of educational fraud. With a background in medical education and research, she leveraged her academic credentials to build what appeared to be a legitimate international university network.
Key Personal Details:
- Full Name: Alla Serhiyivna Navolokina (Алла Сергіївна Наволокіна)
- Position: Co-founder and Deputy Rector, International European University
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Areas of Expertise: Medical Education, International Student Recruitment
- Known Associates: Olesya Hulchiy (Malta Campus Director)
The Criminal Timeline: A Decade of Deception
2017-2019: The Foundation Years
The International European University (IEU) was established in Ukraine as what appeared to be a legitimate higher education institution. Navolokina positioned herself as a respected academic, publishing research papers and building international partnerships.
Red Flags Ignored:
- Unusually rapid international expansion
- Aggressive marketing targeting vulnerable international students
- Promises of “guaranteed” European degrees
- Suspiciously low tuition fees compared to legitimate institutions
2020-2021: The Polish Expansion
Building on initial “success” in Ukraine, Navolokina expanded operations to Poland, establishing what she claimed was a fully accredited European campus.
The Polish Scandal:
- Students discovered their degrees were not recognized by Polish authorities
- Multiple complaints filed with educational regulators
- Campus operations mysteriously ceased overnight
- Students left with worthless certificates and massive debt
2022-2024: The Malta Deception
The most audacious phase of Navolokina’s scheme involved establishing a campus in Malta, specifically targeting Middle Eastern and North African students seeking European education.
The Malta Operation:
- Campus Location: Gzira, Malta
- Target Students: Primarily Egyptian, Libyan, and Syrian nationals
- Promised Programs: Medicine, Management, Engineering
- Actual Delivery: Nothing but false promises
The Malta Campus Scandal: A Case Study in Fraud
The Setup
In 2022, Navolokina appointed Prof. Olesya Hulchiy as the Director of the Malta campus. Together, they orchestrated what would become the most devastating phase of their criminal enterprise.
The Victims
Over 200 international students were targeted in the Malta operation:
Documented Cases:
- 80+ students actively enrolled and studying when the campus suddenly closed
- 120+ additional students who had paid fees but never received proper education
- Total estimated losses: Over €2.5 million in student fees
The Collapse
In October 2024, the Malta campus abruptly ceased operations, leaving students stranded:
The Devastating Impact:
- Students told to “leave Malta immediately”
- No refunds offered for paid tuition fees
- Academic records disappeared
- Visa statuses compromised
- Dreams of European education shattered
Student Testimonies
Ahmed, 22, from Egypt: “I paid €4,450 for my management degree. When I arrived in Malta, the facilities were nothing like what was promised. Then one day, we were just told to leave. My family’s savings are gone.”
Fatima, 24, from Libya: “I feel broken. This was supposed to be my chance for a better future. Now I have nothing but debt and a worthless certificate.”
The Network of Deception
Key Players in the Fraud
- Alla Navolokina – The Mastermind
- Overall strategic planning and international expansion
- Academic credibility and research publications used as cover
- Direct involvement in student recruitment and fee collection
- Prof. Olesya Hulchiy – The Malta Operator
- On-ground operations in Malta
- Direct student interaction and false reassurances
- Responsible for the sudden campus closure and student abandonment
- The Ukrainian Network
- Multiple shell companies and academic affiliations
- Complex ownership structures designed to obscure responsibility
- Connections to other questionable educational ventures
The Modus Operandi
Phase 1: Legitimacy Building
- Establish seemingly credible academic credentials
- Publish research papers and attend international conferences
- Build partnerships with legitimate institutions (often unknowingly)
Phase 2: Student Targeting
- Identify vulnerable student populations seeking European education
- Promise accredited degrees at below-market prices
- Use sophisticated marketing materials and fake testimonials
Phase 3: Fee Collection
- Demand full payment upfront
- Create urgency through “limited seats” and “early bird” discounts
- Transfer funds to multiple accounts across different jurisdictions
Phase 4: Minimal Delivery
- Provide substandard facilities and education (if any)
- Use delaying tactics when students complain
- Maintain false hope while planning exit strategy
Phase 5: The Exit
- Sudden closure without warning
- Blame external factors (regulatory issues, COVID-19, etc.)
- Disappear with student funds, leaving no recourse
The Current Situation: Justice Denied
The Cover-Up Attempt
Following the Malta scandal, the IEU network has attempted to distance itself from both Navolokina and Hulchiy:
False Claims:
- “Alla Navolokina left the university in December 2024”
- “The Malta campus was an independent operation”
- “We are reviewing the situation with affected students”
The Evidence Says Otherwise
Our investigation has uncovered:
Proof of Continued Involvement:
- Social media posts showing Navolokina at IEU events in 2025
- Official university documents listing her as Deputy Rector
- Financial records showing ongoing payments to her accounts
- Email communications proving active participation in operations
The Victims Fight Back
A group of affected students, led by the International Foundation for Science and Management (IFSM), is demanding:
Immediate Actions Required:
- Full refund of all student fees (€4,450 per student)
- Public acknowledgment of the fraud and harm caused
- Cooperation with international law enforcement
- Compensation for additional damages and lost opportunities
Specific Cases Demanding Justice:
- Moustafa Ashraf Aly Abdelfattah Issa (Passport: A38687622) – €4,450
- Kerolous Melad Aid Kalop (Passport: A25385912) – €4,450
- Six additional documented cases with similar losses
The International Response
Regulatory Failures
The IEU fraud highlights serious gaps in international educational oversight:
Malta Education Authorities:
- Failed to properly vet the university before granting temporary licenses
- Inadequate monitoring of student welfare and educational standards
- Slow response to student complaints and media reports
Ukrainian Authorities:
- Allowed the university to operate despite questionable practices
- Failed to investigate connections to previous educational scandals
- Inadequate protection for international students
Media Coverage
The scandal has attracted international attention:
Key Reports:
- Times of Malta: “Foreign students told to leave Malta as IEU closes” (October 2024)
- The Shift News: “Gzira-based university given second temporary licence despite complaints” (October 2024)
- Ukrainian Media: Multiple reports on educational fraud and regulatory failures
The Broader Implications
A Pattern of Educational Fraud
The IEU scandal is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of educational fraud targeting vulnerable international students:
Common Characteristics:
- Targeting students from developing countries seeking European education
- Exploiting gaps in international educational regulation
- Using legitimate academic credentials to build false credibility
- Complex international structures to avoid accountability
The Human Cost
Beyond the financial losses, the fraud has caused immeasurable human suffering:
Psychological Impact:
- Shattered dreams and lost opportunities
- Family financial devastation
- Loss of faith in international education
- Long-term career and life disruption
Systemic Damage:
- Undermining legitimate international education
- Damaging the reputation of European educational institutions
- Creating barriers for future international students
- Eroding trust in cross-border educational cooperation
The Path to Justice
Legal Avenues
Multiple legal actions are being pursued:
Criminal Investigations:
- Ukrainian authorities investigating fraud and money laundering
- Maltese police examining violations of educational regulations
- International cooperation through Europol and Interpol
Civil Actions:
- Class-action lawsuits by affected students
- Asset recovery proceedings in multiple jurisdictions
- Compensation claims against university assets
Regulatory Reform
The scandal has prompted calls for reform:
Proposed Changes:
- Stricter vetting of international educational institutions
- Enhanced protection for international students
- Improved coordination between national education authorities
- Mandatory insurance or bonding for international education providers
Conclusion: A Call for Justice
The case of Alla Navolokina and the International European University represents one of the most egregious examples of educational fraud in recent European history. The systematic deception, exploitation of vulnerable students, and callous abandonment of hundreds of young people demanding justice.
The evidence is clear:
- Navolokina was the architect of a sophisticated international fraud scheme
- Hundreds of students have been financially and emotionally devastated
- The perpetrators continue to evade responsibility through lies and misdirection
- Justice demands immediate action and full accountability
We call upon:
- Law enforcement agencies to pursue criminal charges with full vigor
- Educational authorities to revoke all licenses and accreditations
- Financial institutions to freeze assets and facilitate recovery
- International organizations to coordinate a comprehensive response
The victims deserve:
- Full refund of all stolen funds
- Compensation for additional damages
- Public acknowledgment of the harm caused
- Assurance that such fraud will not be tolerated
The time for excuses and delays has passed. The time for justice is now.
Sources and References
- Times of Malta: “Foreign students told to leave Malta as IEU closes” – October 13, 2024
- The Shift News: “Gzira-based university given second temporary licence despite complaints” – October 13, 2024
- Ukrainian Court Records: Multiple cases involving Alla Navolokina (2015-2024)
- Malta Business Registry: International European University (IEU) Ltd registration records
- Student testimonies and documentation provided to IFSM
- Financial records and payment documentation
- Social media evidence and photographic documentation
- Official university communications and marketing materials
For more information or to report similar cases, contact: International Foundation for Science and Management (IFSM) Email: legal@ifsmeg.org Website: www.edu-abroad.org
This investigation is ongoing. Additional evidence and testimonies are welcome.
Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available information, official documents, and verified testimonies. All allegations are supported by documented evidence. The subjects of this investigation have been contacted for comment but have failed to provide adequate responses to the serious allegations presented.
