• October 27, 2021

Kerala students arrested for obtaining fake degree certificates with help from recruitment agent to travel to UK

By A Staff Reporter

KOCHI Oct 26: Three students in Kerala were arrested by immigration enforcement agencies at the Kochi International Airport for fraudulently using fake degree certificates to obtain admission to a university in the United Kingdom.

According to reports the students received help from the recruitment agent to get the certificates with required marks for them to meet the criteria for the course they have enrolled in their respective university in UK.

The three students didnt have the required marks to get to the UK university. Rajesh had only 55 per cent marks and Vinesh had only 60 per cent marks while Paulson had failed for one of the exams in his degree final year.

However, the recruitment agent assured the students that he will get the certificates with the required percent of marks for the UK universities sorted out for them. Thus the agent is reported to have secured fake degree certificates from Annamalai University, MG University and Kerala University to help the students reach UK.

The three students were arrested when immigration enforcement agencies identified that the three students obtained UK immigration visa using fake documents which is illegal and punishable under law in India.

The three students are natives of Angamaly, Kochi Vennala and Elanji.

The three were arrested prior to boarding the Air India direct flight to London last on 24th October 2021.

All the three were arrested and later released on bail.

Fraudsters who had earlier flourished in illegal recruitment business through fake job offers are back now in the form of helping students to obtain such certificates to reach European destinations, The Hindu had reported.

They mostly target young graduates and skilled workers who are keen on working in the UK.

In addition, fake offer letter creators promise easy migration and appointment without clearing mandatory language proficiency tests like IELTS or OET. Noticing the trend, professionals from Kerala in the UK are making aspirants aware of the scam through social media.