Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Impersonation and exam fraud is not new. As long as there have been candidates willing to cheat, there have been those with the knowledge and skills prepared to sit assessments on their behalf, usually in exchange for payment. This form of cheating has typically been associated with small local networks operating through personal contacts or word of mouth. What was once a localised and limited form of cheating has developed into a global online marketplace offering sophisticated impersonation services to paying clients. ASRG’s latest whitepaper, Candidates for Hire: A Case Study of Impersonation Services in Assessment, explores how these operations now function as organised commercial services combining technology, identity fraud and professional impersonators into a single package. It also includes a case study of a website that openly advertises its services online. The internet has fundamentally changed the scale and accessibility of impersonation. Services that once relied on local connections are now advertised openly through polished websites, encrypted messaging apps and social media. Some providers encourage customer reviews, offer guarantees of confidentiality and make bold claims about achieving the highest possible scores for their clients. Impersonation is increasingly being presented as a normalised commercial service rather than a covert illegal arrangement. The methods used by these groups are equally concerning. They may combine remote access software, physical disguises, identity fraud, behavioural coaching, hidden communication tools and cheating devices to bypass detection. In online exams, candidates may be guided on how to act naturally on camera while an impersonator completes the assessment from another location. For in-person assessments, fake documents or disguises may be used to bypass identity checks and verification. ASRG also identified examples of websites selling fraudulent identity documents while encouraging buyers to protect their privacy. These sites advise customers to “consider payment methods that protect your privacy”, with cryptocurrency often recommended as a preferred option for anonymity. Online assessment has created new opportunities for impersonation. It removes many of the barriers that once made this form of cheating more difficult. Candidates can now pay someone else to complete their assessment from anywhere in the world. At the same time, online payment systems, cryptocurrency and digital advertising have made it easier for these impersonation services to operate across borders. In Candidates for Hire, we examined one website openly advertising impersonation services for high-stakes qualifications. The website was not hidden in obscure parts of the internet – it operates in plain sight. The website appears to focus on qualifications commonly associated with the United States, including the LSAT, GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL. These assessments are globally recognised and often used as gateways to higher education, employment opportunities or immigration. The pricing alone highlights the scale of this market. The site states that online assessment services begin in the thousands of dollars, while in-person impersonation services start at $20,000. How would you feel if you discovered that your doctor or surgeon had not actually completed the assessments required for their degree? Or if the person you hired was not as qualified as their CV suggested? Impersonation may be seen as rare, isolated incidents, but the exitance of sites like this suggest the issue is a lot bigger than we think. What makes these services particularly concerning is how normalised they appear online. Professional branding, customer testimonials and assurances of discretion frame impersonation as a legitimate business rather than misconduct or fraud. Normalising impersonation services undermines the value and public trust placed in educational and professional qualifications. These websites depend on operating under the radar, so awareness is vital to expose their practices, reduce their ability to target users, and encourage stronger action from platforms and regulators. To stay informed on emerging assessment security threats and future research, join ASRG for updates and ongoing insights into the latest in assessment security.