UP Board Fake Website Scam: Two Arrested for Selling Over 5,000 Fake Degrees
In a significant crackdown on educational fraud, sleuths from the cyber crime police station in Prayagraj apprehended two individuals on Thursday for orchestrating a sophisticated scam involving a counterfeit website of the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board). The accused, identified as Shashi Prakash Rai, also known as Rajan Sharma (36), and Manish Kumar Rai (39), both residents of Azamgarh, have been charged with duping students by creating and operating this fraudulent online platform.
Details of the Scam Operation
According to police reports, the duo confessed to establishing a fake website through a call centre they managed. To lure victims, they placed advertisements on various social media sites, falsely promising to enhance marks on existing marksheets and generate fake academic documents. This deceptive marketing strategy attracted numerous candidates, parents, and educational institutions who sought their services.
Upon contact, the accused would facilitate the fabrication of official seals, holograms, and marksheet proformas that mimicked those of legitimate colleges or universities. They then specialized in digitally editing and creating counterfeit, backdated documents, including High School, Intermediate, and University marksheets and degrees. Once the fraudulent work was completed, they sold these fake documents to clients for amounts ranging from Rs 4,000 to 5,000, dispatching them via courier services to maintain anonymity.
Long-Running Fraud and Arrests
Investigations revealed that the prime accused, Shashi Prakash Rai alias Rajan Sharma, has been involved in this illicit activity since 2014, indicating a decade-long operation. Over this period, the duo admitted to selling more than 5,000 fake degrees, exploiting the trust of students and institutions across the region. The arrests mark a crucial step in combating cyber-enabled educational crimes, with authorities emphasizing the need for vigilance against such online frauds targeting academic credentials.
