Key Takeaways
• Pakeeru Gopal Reddy was deported from the US in May 2025 for fake academic certificates.
• Investigations revealed a Hyderabad consultancy sold over 150 forged educational documents.
• US authorities use SEVIS system to detect and prevent student visa fraud effectively.
A 28-year-old student from Telangana, India, was deported from the United States 🇺🇸 in late May 2025 after U.S. immigration officers discovered he had used fake academic certificates to obtain his student visa. This case, which came to light on June 1, 2025, has exposed a larger network of visa fraud involving forged documents, multiple arrests, and a growing concern about the integrity of international student admissions. The incident highlights the risks faced by students, the responsibilities of educational consultancies, and the strict checks enforced by U.S. authorities to protect the student visa system.
Telangana Student Deported for Visa Fraud: What Happened?
Who: Pakeeru Gopal Reddy, a 28-year-old from Nalgonda district in Telangana
What: Deported from the United States 🇺🇸 for using fake academic certificates to get a student visa
When: Deported in late May 2025, arrested in Hyderabad on June 1, 2025
Where: Deported from Dallas airport, arrested at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad
Why: U.S. immigration officers found his SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) status was inactive and uncovered forged documents
How: Investigation revealed he used fake B.Sc. Computer Science certificates from Madurai Kamaraj University to secure his visa
Reddy had been studying for a master’s degree at Webster University in Missouri since September 2023. After spending five months in India, he tried to return to the United States 🇺🇸, but immigration officers at Dallas airport noticed his SEVIS status was inactive. This led to his deportation and arrest upon arrival in Hyderabad.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
When Reddy landed in Hyderabad on June 1, 2025, Indian immigration authorities questioned him about his deportation. During the inquiry, he admitted to using fake academic certificates to get his U.S. student visa. The certificates, which claimed he had a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Madurai Kamaraj University, were found to be forged.
This confession set off a broader investigation, revealing that Reddy was not acting alone. Authorities soon discovered a network of individuals and organizations involved in creating and selling fake academic documents to students hoping to study abroad.
The Fake Certificate Racket in Telangana
Following Reddy’s confession, police arrested Katoju Ashok, the 29-year-old managing director of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited, an education consultancy in Hyderabad’s Vanasthalipuram area. This consultancy allegedly specialized in providing fake academic credentials to students seeking to study in countries like the United States 🇺🇸.
During questioning, Ashok admitted to sending at least 15 students abroad over the past five years using forged documents. He reportedly charged between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh for each set of fake certificates.
A police search of the consultancy’s office uncovered:
– 150 fake mark sheets, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters from Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University
– Rs 10 lakh in cash
– Four mobile phones
– Company stamps used to make the documents look official
Both Reddy and Ashok have been charged with forgery and cheating. Police are now working to identify other students who may have used similar fake documents to travel abroad.
Official Response and Statements
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Shamshabad Division) V. Sreekanth Goud explained the case:
“The student had studied for one year in the US and came to India and stayed for five months. When he returned to the US, immigration officers at the Dallas airport found his student status inactive on the SEVIS and deported him.”
Authorities are continuing their investigation to track down other students who may have used fake certificates from the same consultancy. The case is ongoing, and both Reddy and Ashok remain in custody.
How U.S. Authorities Detect Visa Fraud
This case shows how the United States 🇺🇸 uses strict systems to check the status of international students. The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a web-based tool that keeps track of nonimmigrant students (those on F and M visas) and exchange visitors (on J visas). Schools and universities must update SEVIS with information about each student’s enrollment, attendance, and academic progress.
When Reddy tried to re-enter the United States 🇺🇸, immigration officers checked his SEVIS status and found it was inactive. This could mean:
– His enrollment at Webster University had ended
– He broke the rules of his student visa
– The university reported problems with his academic standing or attendance
U.S. immigration officers at airports and other entry points routinely check SEVIS status for all returning international students. If there is any problem, they can deny entry and start an investigation. In this case, the system worked as intended and stopped a student who had used fake documents.
For more information about SEVIS and how it works, you can visit the official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVIS page.
The Growing Problem of Visa Fraud
This is not an isolated incident. In recent years, there have been several cases of visa fraud involving Indian nationals trying to enter the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries. These cases often involve fake academic certificates, forged work experience letters, and even staged crimes to help people qualify for certain types of visas.
Recent Examples
- May 30, 2025: The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced that an Indian national, Rambhai Patel, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Patel and a partner staged armed robberies at convenience stores and restaurants across the United States 🇺🇸. Store clerks pretended to be victims of violent crimes so they could apply for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa), which is meant for victims of certain crimes. The fraudsters charged up to $20,000 for each case.
- March 2025: The U.S. Embassy filed a complaint about another visa fraud racket, leading to an investigation by the Delhi Police Crime Branch.
- September 2024: Police in Ludhiana uncovered a large operation making fake educational degrees and work experience certificates. The scheme also involved inflating bank balances to make visa applications look stronger.
These cases show that visa fraud is a widespread problem, with many people willing to pay large sums for fake documents or illegal help.
Why Do Students and Consultancies Commit Visa Fraud?
Many students from places like Telangana dream of studying in the United States 🇺🇸 or other countries for better education and job opportunities. However, getting a student visa is not easy. Applicants must meet strict academic and financial requirements. Some students, unable to meet these requirements, turn to consultancies that promise to “fix” their problems with fake certificates.
Education consultancies like Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited often advertise their services as helping students with admissions and visas. In reality, some of these companies make money by selling fake documents. They may claim to have “connections” or “special knowledge” of the process, but their actions put students at serious risk.
Consequences for Students and Consultancies
The penalties for visa fraud are severe and can affect a person’s life for years. Here’s what can happen:
For Students
- Deportation: As in Reddy’s case, students caught with fake documents are sent back to their home country.
- Arrest and criminal charges: Students may be arrested and charged with forgery, cheating, and other crimes.
- Ban from re-entering the United States 🇺🇸: A student found guilty of visa fraud can be banned from entering the United States 🇺🇸 for many years, sometimes for life.
- Loss of education and money: Students lose their chance to study abroad and may lose large sums paid to consultancies.
For Consultancies
- Criminal charges: Owners and employees can be arrested and charged with forgery, cheating, and running a criminal racket.
- Seizure of assets: Police may seize cash, equipment, and other assets used in the fraud.
- Loss of business license: The company can be shut down and banned from operating.
For Families
- Financial loss: Families often spend their savings to help their children study abroad. When fraud is uncovered, this money is lost.
- Emotional distress: The shame and stress of legal trouble can affect the whole family.
How Authorities Are Responding
Indian and U.S. authorities are working together to stop visa fraud. Police in Telangana and other states are investigating consultancies and checking the documents of students who have traveled abroad in recent years. U.S. immigration officers are using systems like SEVIS to track students and catch problems early.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these joint efforts are making it harder for people to use fake documents to enter the United States 🇺🇸. However, the demand for foreign education and the high fees charged by consultancies mean that the problem is likely to continue unless there are stronger checks and better awareness among students and families.
What Can Students Do to Protect Themselves?
If you are a student planning to study in the United States 🇺🇸 or another country, here are some steps you can take to avoid trouble:
- Use only genuine documents: Never use fake certificates, mark sheets, or recommendation letters. Universities and immigration officers can check the authenticity of your documents.
- Choose reputable consultancies: If you need help, work with consultancies that are registered and have a good track record. Avoid those that promise “guaranteed” visas or ask for large sums of money for fake documents.
- Check university accreditation: Make sure the university you are applying to is recognized and accredited. Fake universities are sometimes used in visa scams.
- Keep records: Save all your application materials, receipts, and correspondence. This can help if there are questions about your application.
- Report suspicious activity: If you know about a consultancy or person selling fake documents, report them to the police or the nearest U.S. consulate.
The Role of SEVIS and U.S. Immigration Checks
The SEVIS system is a key tool for U.S. authorities to monitor international students. Schools must update SEVIS with information about each student’s status. If a student drops out, is expelled, or stops attending classes, the school must report this. Immigration officers can then check SEVIS at any time, especially when a student tries to re-enter the country.
If you are a student in the United States 🇺🇸, it’s important to:
– Maintain full-time enrollment
– Attend classes regularly
– Follow all visa rules
If your SEVIS status becomes inactive, you may be denied entry or even deported. For more details on maintaining your status, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Student Visa page.
Implications for the Future
The Telangana visa fraud case is a warning to students, families, and consultancies. The risks of using fake documents are high, and the chances of getting caught are increasing as authorities improve their checks. Students who want to study in the United States 🇺🇸 or other countries should focus on meeting the real requirements and avoid shortcuts.
For consultancies, the message is clear: helping students cheat the system is a crime that can lead to arrest, jail, and the end of your business.
Key Takeaways
- Visa fraud is a serious crime with severe consequences for students, families, and consultancies.
- U.S. authorities use systems like SEVIS to track international students and catch fraud.
- Students should use only genuine documents and avoid consultancies that offer fake certificates.
- Authorities in India and the United States 🇺🇸 are working together to stop visa fraud and protect the integrity of the student visa system.
If you are planning to study abroad, take the time to understand the rules, prepare your documents honestly, and seek help from trusted sources. The risks of visa fraud are simply not worth it.
Learn Today
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System tracking international students’ visa and enrollment status in the US.
Forgery → The crime of producing fake documents or certificates to deceive officials or institutions.
Deportation → Official removal of a foreign national from a country due to legal violations or visa issues.
Student visa → A visa allowing a foreign national to study full-time at a US institution.
Consultancy → A company providing advice and services, sometimes unethical, to help students with visa applications.
This Article in a Nutshell
A Telangana student was deported after US immigration flagged fake certificates via SEVIS. Police arrested an education consultant linked to the fraud network selling forged documents to students seeking visas abroad.
— By VisaVerge.com
