Prayagraj Police Uncover Major Fake Degree Scam, Arrest Two Accused
In a significant crackdown on educational fraud, the cybercrime cell of Prayagraj police has arrested Mohd Rashid and his accomplice Sameer for operating a counterfeit UP Board website and fabricating educational documents. This arrest marks a major breakthrough in combating organized academic scams, officials confirmed.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
The duo was apprehended on Monday, with police seizing a substantial cache of evidence. This includes four mobile phones with seven SIM cards, 190 fake marksheets, diplomas, and degrees, one laptop, four counterfeit stamps, 98 holograms, one pen drive, one passbook, and two cheque books. The items highlight the sophisticated nature of their fraudulent operations.
Scale of the Fraudulent Activities
Investigations reveal that Rashid and Sameer sold over 700 fake BTech and MBA degrees from various institutes between 2023 and 2026. Their network extended across western UP districts, Delhi, and Haryana, targeting youth seeking quick educational credentials. Additional DCP (cybercrime), Rajkumar Meena, stated that after being bailed out in 2023 from Baghpat jail, where he was held for selling fake High School and Intermediate certificates, Rashid established a fake institute named Neptune Institute of Management and Engineering.
Modus Operandi and Network
The accused operated in an organized manner, with Sameer luring individuals by promising degrees and diplomas in exchange for hefty sums. They utilized a vast network of brokers to distribute these fraudulent documents nationwide. The process involved tailoring fake documents to specific demands, producing color printouts, and affixing counterfeit official stamps before delivering them to educational institutions and students.
Digital Facilitation of Fraud
To lend credibility to their scams, the mastermind, Shashi Prakash Rai, uploaded details of the fake documents to databases on the counterfeit website and associated sites. This enabled educational institutions and students to verify the documents online, further perpetuating the fraud. The operation underscores the growing threat of cyber-enabled educational crimes in India.
This case highlights the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and stricter regulations in the education sector to prevent such widespread fraud.
