Hyderabad cops bust fake certificate racket, 4 held

According to police, Hussain, director of Study Affairs International, an educational consultancy, was arranging fake academic certificates

The Hyderabad police have busted a fake educational certificates racket and arrested four persons providing bogus documents of institutions from across the country to the needy aspirants who wanted to pursue higher studies abroad.

The Commissioner’s Task Force and the Nampally Police apprehended four persons -- Mohd Ehtesham Uddin Hussain (47), Mohd Abdhul Khader (42), Mohd Altaf Ahmed (43) and Mohd Imran (41) -- who were collecting huge amounts for the fake certificates.Two more accused are absconding.

According to the police, Hussain, Director of Study Affairs International, an educational consultancy, was arranging fake educational certificates while Ahmed, Director of Career Wings, another such consultancy, was the abroad placements' provider.

Khader, a computer operator working for Hussain, used to provide supporting documents while Imran brought in customers.

The cops have seized fake certificates of State Board of School Examination and Board of Higher Secondary Examinations Tamil Nadu (20 copies), Anna University, Chennai (33), Periyar University, Salem (10), Thiruvalluvar University (10), Sathyabama University (15), Shivaji University, Kolhapur (28), Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (10), Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut (9), Sikkim State University (5), MH State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pune (3) and those of National Institute of Open Schooling in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat.

Four cell phones, one CPU, a colour printer, fillers and cash of Rs 22,000 were also seized.

“After collecting money from the aspirants, Ethesham Hussian sends the customer details to the offenders in other states, who prepare fake educational certificates of various universities and boards based on the study track of the customers. After receiving the hard and soft copies, Altaf Ahmed initiates the process of placements abroad through his overseas contacts,” said Rajesh Chandra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Hyderabad, on Thursday.

Further, the accused created fake websites in the name of various universities and boards. They were also providing an online checking facility for a limited period by charging an extra amount.

The DCP cautioned aspirants not to approach consultancies, mediators, agents for certificates of courses and exams they never took.

“If anyone is found involved in such illegal activities, they may have to face legal consequences.”