Berlin ? German prosecutors are investigating about 100 professors across the country on suspicion they took bribes to help students get their doctoral degrees, authorities said Saturday.

The investigation is focused on the Institute for Scientific Consulting, based in Bergisch Gladbach, just east of Cologne, which allegedly acted as the intermediary between students and the professors, said Cologne prosecutor’s spokesman Guenther Feld.

Feld confirmed reports of the investigation in both Focus magazine and the Neue Westfaelische newspaper, but would not give further details.

According to the publications, students paid between $5,700 to $28,500 to the company, which promised to help them get their doctorate degrees through its extensive contacts within university faculties.