Prayagraj Fake Degree Racket Exposed: Over 7,000 Counterfeit BPharma Certificates Sold in 11-Year Operation
In a shocking revelation that has sent tremors through law enforcement agencies, an investigation into a widespread fake degree racket in Prayagraj has uncovered that the majority of counterfeit BPharma degrees were sold across eastern Uttar Pradesh districts over the past five years. The scale of this sophisticated operation has left police authorities stunned as they grapple with the implications of thousands of fraudulent academic credentials circulating in the region.
Key Accused Arrested in Coordinated Cyber Crime Operation
Sleuths from the cyber crime cell of the Prayagraj police commissionerate made a significant breakthrough on March 25, apprehending two pivotal figures allegedly at the heart of this elaborate scam. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sashi Prakash Rai alias Rajan Sharma and Manish Kumar Rai, both residents of Azamgarh district. They face serious charges of operating a fraudulent website mimicking the official UP Board portal and manufacturing counterfeit marksheets and degrees from various colleges and universities.
Police investigations reveal that this racket has been operational since 2014, with perpetrators selling an astonishing over 7,000 fake degrees during this eleven-year period. The operation's longevity and scale demonstrate both the sophistication of the criminals and the persistent demand for such fraudulent credentials.
Eastern UP Districts Emerge as Major Markets for Fake BPharma Degrees
Ironically, the investigation has pinpointed that the majority of these counterfeit BPharma degrees were distributed across several key districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The affected areas include:
- Prayagraj (where the investigation originated)
- Varanasi
- Azamgarh (home district of the accused)
- Jaunpur
- Lucknow
Authorities have discovered that the demand for BPharma degrees was particularly high among individuals seeking to open pharmacies or medical stores, highlighting how these fraudulent credentials were being used to bypass regulatory requirements for legitimate business operations.
Racket Kingpin Himself Held Fake BPharma Degree
In a twist that underscores the pervasive nature of this scam, investigators have confirmed that the alleged mastermind, Sashi Prakash Rai, himself possesses a counterfeit BPharma degree from a Haridwar-based college. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate criminal enterprise.
A senior police officer involved in the investigation told reporters, "After acknowledging the fact that the racketeers sold out fake B Pharma degrees and certificates, the law enforcement agencies are trying to find out details of people to whom these degrees were sold out." The officer further disclosed that "out of about 7,000 B Pharma degrees over 2,500 are confirmed to be fake" based on current evidence.
Sophisticated Operation Involving Fake Website and Call Center
Police sources indicate that seven First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered across Uttar Pradesh in connection with this sprawling racket. The accused established a sophisticated operation that included:
- A dedicated call center in Azamgarh operating under the name "Shri Education"
- A fraudulent website designed to mimic the official Board of Secondary Education, Uttar Pradesh portal
- Targeted Facebook advertisements offering services to inflate marks on existing marksheets and generate completely fabricated academic documents
This multi-pronged approach attracted numerous candidates, parents, and even educational institutions who contacted the racketeers seeking their services.
Modus Operandi: From Digital Manipulation to Courier Delivery
Once potential clients made contact, the racketeers would arrange for the fabrication of official seals, holograms, and marksheet templates that closely resembled those of legitimate colleges and universities. Using advanced digital manipulation techniques, they would then produce counterfeit, backdated documents including:
- High school marksheets
- Intermediate certificates
- University degrees and transcripts
These fraudulent documents were supplied to candidates, parents, or institutions seeking such credentials. Upon completion, the racketeers would sell these backdated documents for amounts ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per document, dispatching them to recipients via courier services. The proceeds were then systematically divided among the conspirators.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify all recipients of these fake degrees and dismantle every aspect of this extensive criminal network that has compromised the integrity of academic credentials across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
