New Delhi, June 2025 – In what law enforcement officials are calling one of the largest academic fraud operations in recent memory, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a sprawling fake-degree syndicate operating across Delhi and the National Capital Region. The network preyed on students and job-seekers—many desperate to secure employment or higher education—offering backdated and counterfeit academic documents for substantial sums.
The Crackdown: Five Arrested, Documents Seized
Acting on credible intelligence, Crime Branch teams carried out coordinated raids across several centres, arresting five individuals linked to the racket. During these operations, authorities seized:
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228 forged mark sheets spanning multiple disciplines and institutions
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27 counterfeit degree certificates purporting to belong to universities across India
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20 migration certificates, essential for academic transfers or overseas study
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Six laptops and 20 mobile phones, which upon forensic inspection contained over 5,000 soft copies of manipulated academic documents—ranging from BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, BEd, MBA, MA to even BAMS degrees.
Key Figures Behind the Syndicate
Investigators have identified core members of the racket:
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Vicky Harjani, an individual who had not completed formal education past Class X, ran an outfit called Paramhans Vidyapeeth, with outlets in Netaji Subhash Place and Rohini. During initial searches, authorities recovered around 75 forged documents tied to universities across several states.
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Vivek Gupta, with a Class XII education, was reportedly operating six to seven educational and counselling centres in Noida. He had active cases pending in Himachal Pradesh as well.
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Satbir Singh, another suspect, managed a centre in Faridabad.
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Narayan Jee, holding a BA degree, had expanded operations from Bihar into Delhi–NCR.
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Avnish Kansal, identified as a BTech graduate imprisoned in Jaipur, had prior allegations of similar fraud in Rajasthan.
Following Harjani’s arrest, the police intensively interrogated him, leading to the detention of the other four and extending raids across the region.
Modus Operandi: Coaching Centres, Call Centres & Social Media
Deception took many forms: coaching institutes, education consultancies, and even dedicated call centres served as recruitment and facilitation hubs. Students were lured through local flyers near coaching establishments and online adverts via social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Those seeking to bypass academic requirements were promised prompt degrees—often backdated to appear legitimate.
Once clients supplied their personal and academic data, the documents were fabricated using templates and formats resembling authentic university credentials. The forged certificates were priced according to urgency and the institution claimed—ranging from modest degrees like BA or B.Ed up to professional qualifications such as MBA or BTech.
Investigators have also flagged potential collusion with university insiders, who may have leaked official document formats or insider knowledge—necessitating deeper probes into the involvement of institutional staff.
Wider Implications: A System Vulnerable to Fraud
This case exposes systemic weaknesses in checks around academic credential verification. For years, students and job applicants with inadequate qualifications have been able to present convincingly fabricated documents—derailing fairness and posing risks to educational and employment ecosystems across sectors.
Police officials have noted the syndicate’s deep reach, indicating the presence of 20 to 25 centres operating across multiple states. The racket may have enabled hundreds—if not thousands—to present false academic credentials in workplaces or enrolment applications.
What’s Next: An Ongoing Probe
With five individuals behind bars and a trove of physical and digital evidence secured, investigators are continuing to map the full network.
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The police aim to trace additional victims who purchased documents and verify whether any individuals used the forged documents successfully for employment or admissions.
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There is a serious inquiry under way into potential collusion by university employees who may have provided insider information.
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Countermeasures are being contemplated—including tighter regulatory oversight, verification protocols, and disciplinary action against any academic staff found complicit.
In Conclusion
The Delhi–NCR fake-degree racket represents an alarming breakdown in trust: students were exploited, educational integrity was undermined, and public institutions were potentially complicit. The swift crackdown by the Crime Branch has curtailed this particular ring—yet the broader challenge remains.
For universities, employers, and regulators, this case should serve as a wake-up call: rigorous verification of academic documents is essential. Until robust safeguards are in place, the temptation for shortcuts may continue to breed new forms of deception— eroding faith in credentials that are meant to represent hard-earned achievement.
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