Fake Degree Racket Busted in Delhi-NCR: Coaching Centres Turned into Forgery Hubs

In a major breakthrough, law enforcement authorities in Delhi-NCR have busted an elaborate fake degree racket that was operating through coaching centres across the region. The scandal has exposed a vast network of deceit and manipulation, where unsuspecting students and aspiring professionals were lured into a web of forged educational qualifications, all under the guise of career advancement. With the arrest of top operators behind the racket, the scale of this criminal enterprise has sent shockwaves through the education and employment sectors.

The Shocking Discovery

The investigation began after several complaints emerged from employers and institutions regarding suspicious degree certificates submitted by job applicants and students. Preliminary scrutiny revealed inconsistencies in the format, signatures, and registration numbers of the certificates, which triggered a deeper probe by specialized crime units.

What unfolded was a highly organized operation being run discreetly from multiple coaching centres in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. These centres, under the pretense of offering tuition and career guidance, were functioning as fronts for generating counterfeit degrees from various universities—some real, some entirely fictitious. The fake degrees ranged from Class 12 mark sheets to postgraduate and even PhD qualifications.

How the Racket Operated

The racket was masterminded by a group of individuals with strong links to both the education and printing industries. These coaching centres attracted a wide demographic—dropouts, working professionals looking for promotions, and students unable to clear competitive exams.

Here’s how the operation worked:

1. Targeting Vulnerable Aspirants: Students facing academic pressure or desperate for a quick career boost were approached with promises of genuine-looking degrees without exams.

2. Forging Documents: Using high-end printing machines and stolen templates, the operators created certificates with watermarks, seals, and holograms that closely resembled original documents from reputed institutions.

3. University “Tie-ups”: In some cases, the racket claimed to have “affiliations” or “links” with lesser-known or defunct institutions. These claims were used to justify their ability to produce “legitimate” degrees on short notice.

4. End-to-End Services: The centres provided not just the fake certificate but also offered services like transcript generation, verification letters, and even placement assistance.

5. Digital Footprint Manipulation: To avoid detection during background checks, the operators created fake websites and email addresses of fake “registrars” or “verification officers” to answer inquiries on behalf of the forged universities.

The Scale and Impact

The bust revealed that hundreds, if not thousands, of fake degrees had been issued over the past few years. These were used for:

• Securing private sector jobs

• Obtaining visas for overseas travel

• Applying for government contracts

• Gaining admission in universities for higher studies

• Qualifying for professional licenses in fields like teaching and nursing

Many of these recipients were fully aware that they were engaging in fraudulent activity, while others were duped into believing the documents were legitimate. In some shocking instances, even recruiters and HR firms were found complicit in the scam, receiving kickbacks for turning a blind eye during background verification.

Arrests and Seizures

Authorities arrested several individuals identified as the key masterminds behind the operation. Raids conducted at various locations led to the seizure of:

• Hundreds of blank degree templates

• Forged seals and stamps

• Laptops loaded with university logos and design software

• Fake student records and mark sheets

• High-tech printers and lamination machines

• Transaction logs showing lakhs of rupees exchanged through cash and digital wallets

The accused have been booked under serious charges, including forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy, and violation of the Information Technology Act. The police are now working to identify all recipients of the fake degrees and initiate action against those who knowingly used them.

A Wake-Up Call for the Education Ecosystem

The exposure of such a deep-rooted racket is a grim reminder of how vulnerable India’s education system has become to commercialization and corruption. With academic pressure mounting, coaching centres—once considered sanctuaries for academic help—are now being misused as fronts for criminal activity.

This case also raises red flags about:

• Lack of central verification systems: Without a national academic record database, employers and institutions rely on manual checks that are easily fooled.

• Desperation-driven crime: The eagerness of some individuals to fast-track their careers, combined with poor regulation, fuels such rackets.

• Regulatory loopholes: Many defunct or fake universities are not monitored closely, making it easy for forgers to use their names and credentials.

The Role of Awareness and Technology

To combat this growing menace, several steps need to be urgently implemented:

1. Digital Credential Verification: A centralized digital repository for educational records (like DigiLocker or National Academic Depository) must be made mandatory and widely adopted.

2. Public Awareness: Students and job-seekers must be educated on the legal and ethical consequences of using fake degrees.

3. Regulating Coaching Centres: Regular audits and licensing of coaching centres can help identify rogue institutions and prevent misuse.

4. Employer Diligence: Companies must invest in stronger background verification services and not rely solely on submitted documents.

Conclusion

The fake degree racket in Delhi-NCR, operating under the guise of coaching centres, has not only cheated thousands of hopefuls but also diluted the integrity of India’s educational framework. While the arrests mark a significant step forward, the larger battle lies in reforming how educational credentials are issued, stored, and verified. Ensuring transparency and accountability in this space is critical—not just to prevent future frauds, but to protect the futures of genuine students and professionals striving to make an honest mark in the world.