Ed Sheeran and Harry Potter have been used to try to con would-be students out of thousands of pounds in a fake university scam.
The singer and boy wizard were highlighted in publicity for the bogus College of Suffolk, as Ed lives in the county and Harry was born there.
Trading standards chiefs have now shut a website promoting the “college” which used a photo of the real University of Suffolk, based in Ipswich.
The fake college offered degree courses in acting, musical theatre, dance and performance art, with fees from £3,500 to £8,900 a year.
Trading standards believe the scam was aimed at overseas students looking to obtain a British degree.
Investigators say it is not known whether anyone was conned by the website.
But Suffolk Trading Standards’ spokeswoman Sasha Watson said: “The courses would have been a real draw to someone who wanted to get into these industries.”
The website, which went live in April, said it was “shaping an amazing future for students”.
It largely tried to entice them by emphasising Suffolk’s links with Ed and Harry.
Ed, 28, was raised in Framlingham and still lives nearby, while all Harry Potter fans know he was born in Lavenham village. Also, a 14th century house there featured in the film Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part One.
The website said that apart from Ed, other famous faces to see around the county include chef Delia Smith, actor Ralph Fiennes and novelist Anthony Horowitz.
“Look out for them when you’re out and about – you could have quite a collection of autographs,” it said.
It claimed that the college was founded in 1990 and had a section written by its
“President”, calling himself Dr Stephen Spinks.
He said: “You will find a dynamic learning institution with state-of-the-art facilities, student accommodation and a fully-equipped gym, fully serviced by excellent public transport links.”
Ms Watson warned websites like this can be used to sell fake degree certificates.
She said this one was taken down within days once it was spotted by the Department for Education.
No one in the UK or abroad has contacted law enforcement agencies to make a complaint
