On June 9, Uttar Pradesh Police busted a massive fake degree and marksheet racket operating from Kanpur for nearly 13 years, exposing a network that investigators say stretched across several Indian states and even reached overseas destinations such as Canada and London.
What appeared to be genuine academic qualifications were, according to investigators, being manufactured and sold to individuals seeking jobs, educational admissions, and opportunities abroad without ever appearing for examinations.
The operation came to light after Kanpur Police arrested seven individuals, including the alleged mastermind, Ziaul Hasan. Among those arrested are his brothers, Amir Ahmed and Hasan Asif, along with four associates, including Nooruddin.
According to police, the racket was far more extensive than a local forgery operation. Investigators have found that the network had spread across multiple states and had established international links, particularly in Canada and London. Authorities suspect that the forged documents may have been used for university admissions, employment applications, visa processing, overseas placements, and other official purposes.
Police say the accused built a well-organised network that relied on social media platforms and a chain of agents to reach customers. Individuals looking for academic qualifications could purchase everything from high school certificates and graduation degrees to postgraduate qualifications, PhD degrees, marksheets, migration certificates, and other educational records.
The price of the forged documents reportedly depended on the institution and level of qualification. According to investigators, customers paid anywhere from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees for certificates that appeared authentic.
Investigators believe the racket primarily targeted students looking for shortcuts to academic qualifications, job seekers hoping to improve their credentials, and individuals seeking educational or employment opportunities abroad. Documents were prepared in the names of various universities and educational boards, making them difficult to distinguish from genuine certificates.
The scale of the operation became evident during police raids conducted as part of the investigation. Officers recovered a large quantity of forged certificates, marksheets, migration certificates, and other academic documents. They also seized holograms, counterfeit seals, printers, computers, hard disks, and several other devices used in the production of fake educational credentials.
One of the most significant findings of the investigation has been the network’s international footprint. Preliminary inquiries have revealed links to Canada and London, raising concerns that forged educational records may have been used to facilitate overseas admissions, employment opportunities, immigration processes, and other international transactions.
Police are now working to determine the exact nature of these foreign connections and whether additional individuals or entities were involved in helping the network operate beyond India’s borders.
The financial aspect of the racket is also under intense scrutiny. Investigators have reportedly uncovered transactions worth crores of rupees linked to the accused. Bank accounts, property records, digital communications, and financial documents are being examined to trace the money trail and assess the scale of profits generated by the operation.
Authorities are also attempting to identify individuals who obtained fake degrees and certificates through the network. Officials have indicated that legal action may be taken against anyone found to have knowingly used forged educational documents for admissions, employment, or other official purposes.
As forensic experts analyse the seized computers, hard disks, and digital records, investigators believe the case could lead to further arrests and disclosures. Police suspect that the network may have been part of a larger ecosystem involved in the production and circulation of fake academic credentials across India and abroad.
With seven arrests already made and crores of rupees under investigation, the June 9 crackdown has exposed what authorities describe as one of the most extensive fake degree rackets uncovered in Uttar Pradesh in recent years.
