Students Caught at Airport with Fake Degrees for US, UK Visas

Key Takeaways

• Four students arrested in June 2025 at Hyderabad airport with fake degrees for US and UK visas.
• Agents charged Rs 40,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh for forged documents, promising visa success.
• US requires public social media for F, M, J visa applicants from June 19, 2025 onward.

A major visa fraud operation has come to light at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in June 2025, where Indian students were caught using fake degrees to secure student visas for the United States 🇺🇸 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Over the past two weeks, at least four individuals were stopped by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) during pre-departure checks, even though they had already passed formal visa interviews at US and UK embassies. This discovery has set off a wider investigation into a network of agents and educational consultancies that supply counterfeit degrees and forged documents to students hoping to study abroad.

How the Scam Was Uncovered

The crackdown began when immigration officers at RGIA noticed irregularities in the documents presented by departing students. These officers, trained to spot inconsistencies, flagged certain certificates as suspicious. Upon closer inspection and questioning, it became clear that the degrees and supporting documents were fake. The students admitted to buying these fake degrees from agents and consultancies, some of whom have been operating since 2020.

Key Incidents at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

• June 1, 2025: Pakeeru Gopal Reddy, 28, from Nalgonda, was detained with a forged BSc (Computers) degree from Madurai Kamraj University. He had previously entered the United States 🇺🇸 on a student visa, enrolled at Webster University, and was deported in May 2024 after his SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record became inactive. When he tried to travel again, his fake degree was discovered during questioning at RGIA.
• June 9, 2025: Mohammad Shahabazuddin, 26, from Hyderabad, was caught with a fake BCom degree from Acharya Nagarjuna University, a forged Intermediate certificate, and counterfeit BTech certificates. He confessed to buying a fake SSC (Secondary School Certificate) for Rs 1.5 lakh and making other documents using software.
• June 10, 2025: Mohammad Azhar Hussain, 25, from Miryalaguda, was stopped while trying to board a UK-bound flight with a fake degree from Capital University, Jharkhand, and a forged job letter arranged by an agent from Emerge Migration Overseas Educational Consultancy.
• June 12, 2025: Srikanth Marthala, 26, from Guntur, was detained with a fake BTech degree from Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, which he bought for Rs 40,000 from an agent.

These cases highlight how easy it has become for some students to buy fake degrees and other documents, and how agents are using advanced software to create convincing forgeries.

The Role of Agents and Consultancies

The investigation has revealed that a network of agents and consultancies is behind the production and sale of fake degrees. The main agent, Ashok, head of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited, admitted to supplying fake degrees since 2020. Police seized 150 bogus documents, cash, mobile phones, and company stamps from his office. Other named agents include Bharat from Emerge Migration Overseas Educational Consultancy and Mohan Krishna, who have also been linked to the scam.

These agents charge students between Rs 40,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh for forged certificates. They often promise students that the documents will pass embassy checks and help them get student visas for countries like the United States 🇺🇸 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

Why Students Use Fake Degrees

Many students dream of studying abroad for better education and job opportunities. However, not all of them meet the strict academic requirements set by foreign universities and visa authorities. Some students, desperate to go overseas, turn to agents who offer fake degrees and other forged documents as a shortcut. These agents claim that the documents are “guaranteed” to work, and some students believe them, not realizing the serious risks involved.

How the Scam Works

The process usually follows these steps:

1. Contacting an Agent: Students who do not have the required academic qualifications approach an agent or consultancy.
2. Buying Fake Degrees: The agent creates fake degrees, mark sheets, and sometimes even job letters using advanced software.
3. Visa Application: The student submits these fake documents along with their visa application to the embassy or consulate.
4. Clearing Interviews: Some students manage to clear embassy interviews because the forgeries are convincing.
5. Airport Checks: At the airport, immigration officers conduct final checks. If they suspect fraud, they question the student and verify the documents.
6. Arrest and Investigation: If the documents are found to be fake, the student is arrested, and the case is handed over to the police for further investigation.

Official Response and Policy Changes

India

The BoI and Hyderabad police have stepped up their efforts to catch students using fake degrees. They are now focusing on document verification and tracking down agent networks. All students and agents caught so far are in custody, and the investigation is expanding to find more consultancies and individuals involved in the scam.

United States 🇺🇸

The US State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have introduced new rules to make it harder for people to use fake documents. As of June 19, 2025, all F, M, and J visa applicants must make their social media profiles public so that officials can check their identity and background. The US government has made it clear that getting a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that screening continues even after a visa is issued. Every student visa application is now treated as a national security matter, with more attention paid to the applicant’s intentions and past compliance.

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

While the UK has not announced any new policies in direct response to these cases, visa officers are expected to be more careful when checking documents, especially for applicants from regions where academic fraud is common.

For more information on UK visa requirements and document verification, readers can visit the official UK Visas and Immigration website.

The Numbers Behind the Scam

• Students caught in June 2025: At least 4 confirmed cases at Hyderabad airport.
• Cost of fake certificates: Students paid between Rs 40,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh for forged documents.
• Seizures: 150 fake documents, cash, phones, and company stamps were taken from one consultancy.

What Happens to Students Caught with Fake Degrees?

Students caught with fake degrees face serious consequences:

• Arrest and Detention: They are arrested at the airport and placed in judicial custody.
• Deportation: If already abroad, students can be deported if their fake credentials are discovered.
• Blacklisting: They may be banned from applying for visas to certain countries in the future.
• Criminal Record: Having a criminal record for fraud can affect their chances of traveling, studying, or working abroad in the future.

Impact on Agents and Consultancies

Agents and consultancies involved in the scam face:

• Criminal Charges: They can be arrested and prosecuted for fraud and forgery.
• Asset Seizure: Police can seize cash, equipment, and other assets used in the scam.
• Business Closure: Consultancies found guilty may be shut down, and their staff prosecuted.

Impact on Universities and Visa Officers

Foreign universities may now have to:

• Strengthen Verification: Check academic credentials more carefully and work closely with Indian authorities.
• Delay Admissions: Processing times may increase as more checks are done.

Visa officers in both the United States 🇺🇸 and United Kingdom 🇬🇧 are expected to:

• Increase Scrutiny: Spend more time verifying documents, which could lead to longer wait times and more rejections for applicants from high-risk regions.

How Authorities Are Responding

Indian Authorities

Indian officials have put in place several steps to stop the use of fake degrees:

1. Pre-departure Checks: Officers at airports now carefully check documents before students leave the country.
2. Questioning: Students with suspicious documents are questioned in detail.
3. Arrests: Those found with fake degrees are arrested and placed in custody.
4. Raids: Police are raiding the offices of agents and consultancies involved in the scam.
5. Seizures: Fake documents, cash, and equipment are being confiscated.
6. Expanded Investigations: The probe is widening to find more people and consultancies involved.

US and UK Visa Applicants

Applicants for US and UK student visas now face:

1. Document Submission: They must submit academic credentials and supporting documents.
2. Interviews: They attend embassy or consulate interviews where documents are checked.
3. Social Media Checks (US): US applicants must make their social media profiles public for officials to review.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: Even after a visa is issued, authorities can revoke it if fraud is detected.

Expert Opinions and Stakeholder Perspectives

Immigration Experts

Experts warn that document forgery is becoming more advanced, with agents using new software and finding ways to bypass embassy checks. They say that embassies and universities need to work together and share information to stop academic fraud.

Law Enforcement

Police stress the need for better cooperation between Indian and foreign authorities. They believe that sharing data in real time can help catch fraudsters before they travel.

Legitimate Education Consultants

Consultants who follow the law are worried that the actions of a few bad actors are damaging the reputation of the entire overseas education sector. They fear that stricter checks will make it harder for genuine students to get visas.

Students

Many students do not fully understand the long-term risks of using fake degrees. They may not realize that being caught can lead to a permanent ban from certain countries and a criminal record that follows them for life.

Background: A Growing Problem

The use of fake degrees to get student visas is not new, but recent cases show that the problem is getting worse, especially in southern India. In the past, similar scams have been uncovered, but the current crackdown is bigger and involves more consultancies. The United States 🇺🇸 and United Kingdom 🇬🇧 have both updated their visa screening processes over time, with the US now requiring social media checks as part of the process.

What’s Next? Future Developments

• Wider Investigations: Indian authorities are expected to uncover more cases and make more arrests as the investigation continues.
• Stricter Screening: Both US and UK visa processes will likely become even tougher, with more digital checks and cross-checking with Indian educational databases.
• Policy Changes: Other countries may also start requiring open social media profiles and stronger post-visa monitoring.
• Impact on Students: Genuine students may face longer wait times and more checks, while fraudulent consultancies risk being shut down and prosecuted.

Practical Advice for Students and Families

• Verify Consultants: Always check the credentials of any educational consultant you plan to use.
• Use Genuine Documents: Never use fake degrees or forged documents. The risks far outweigh any short-term benefits.
• Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest visa requirements by visiting official government websites, such as the Bureau of Immigration, India.
• Report Fraud: If you know of any agents or consultancies offering fake degrees, report them to the authorities.

Summary Table: Recent Fake Degree Visa Fraud Cases (June 2025)

Key Takeaways

• Using fake degrees to get student visas is a serious crime with harsh consequences, including arrest, deportation, and permanent bans from certain countries.
• Agents and consultancies involved in the scam are being targeted by law enforcement and face criminal charges and business closure.
• Visa processes for the United States 🇺🇸 and United Kingdom 🇬🇧 are becoming stricter, with new requirements like public social media profiles for US visa applicants.
• Genuine students should only use real academic credentials and avoid any shortcuts offered by fraudulent agents.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the crackdown at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has exposed a sophisticated network of academic fraud. Both Indian and foreign authorities are responding with tougher screening, expanded investigations, and new vetting rules. Students and families are strongly urged to avoid fake degrees and use only genuine documents, as the risks of getting caught are severe and long-lasting.

For more information on student visa requirements and official updates, visit the Bureau of Immigration, India.

If you are planning to study abroad, remember: honesty is the best policy. Using fake degrees may seem like a shortcut, but it can ruin your future. Always use genuine documents and work with trusted consultants to achieve your dreams safely and legally.

Learn Today

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport → A major airport in Hyderabad, India where visa fraud was detected in June 2025.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, tracking student visa status in the US.
Forgery → The act of creating fake documents or certificates to deceive authorities.
Student Visa → A permit allowing international students to study in a foreign country legally.
Consultancy → An agency that assists students with visa applications and may supply fake documents.

This Article in a Nutshell

In June 2025, Hyderabad airport exposed a fake degree scam where students used forged documents to get US and UK student visas, prompting stricter visa rules and ongoing investigations targeting agents and consultancies behind the fraud network.
— By VisaVerge.com