Student deported from US for fake documents; arrested at Hyderabad airport

A 28-year-old student from Telangana was arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, on June 1 after being deported from the United States for using fake educational certificates to obtain a student visa.

 Based on his confession, police also arrested the managing director of an overseas education consultancy involved in preparing the forged documents, according to a report by the Times of India.

The student, Pakiru Gopal Reddy from Parepalligudem, had traveled to the US on September 28, 2023, using counterfeit BSc Computers certificates allegedly issued by Madurai Kamaraj University.

 He was pursuing his master's degree at Webster University, Missouri.

“He went to the US with fake documents and stayed there for 15 months. After a short visit to India in 2024, he returned to the US in May.

 However, he was deported from Dallas airport due to an inactive Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status,” said V Sreekanth Goud, Assistant Commissioner of Police, RGIA to TOI.

Upon his arrival in Hyderabad, immigration officials questioned Reddy, during which he claimed that one Katoju Ashok of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited in Vanasthalipuram had arranged the forged certificates for him.

Reddy was handed over to RGIA police on June 1.

 The next day, police arrested Ashok, who reportedly admitted to supplying fake degree certificates to at least 15 students since 2020.

“Ashok confessed to police that since 2020 he has supplied fake degree certificates to 15 students and sent them abroad by charging between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh each,” said a police official to TOI.

During a search operation, police seized 150 forged mark sheets, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters bearing the names of Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University. 

They also recovered company stamps, four mobile phones, and Rs 10 lakh in cash from Ashok’spossession.

Authorities are continuing the investigation to trace other students who may have used similar fake documents.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/student-deported-from-us-for-fake-documents-arrested-at-hyderabad-airport/articleshow/121613147.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst