Kerala police busts fake certificate racket; 10 arrested, over one lakh documents seized

Kerala police have busted a 10-member interstate gang involved in producing and distributing fake university certificates. The gang operated a centre in Pollachi, where authorities recovered over one lakh counterfeit certificates bearing seals of various universities across India. Nearly 100 fake university seals, vice-chancellor stamps, computers, and printers were also seized.

Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a search on November 11 at a foreign education recruiting agency in Chamravattom run by Irshad (39) of Nariparambu, Ponnani. Kerala Kaumudi reported that the police recovered about 100 fake certificates and mark lists that were being sent via courier.

Following this, Jaseem, Ratheesh (37), and Shafeek (37) from Thiruvananthapuram, along with Rahul (30) of Purathur, Tirur, and Abdul Nisar (31) of Payyanangadi, were arrested for sending and distributing the counterfeit documents.

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Fake certificates priced between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh

Kerala Kaumudi further reported that police investigations later traced the operation to the gang leader, Ratheesh (38) of Meenadathur, Tirur. Ratheesh was arrested at Kunnamangalam while attempting to flee abroad with his family. Keralakaumudi noted that Ratheesh had a prior arrest in 2013 by Kalpakanchery Police for producing fake certificates.

The gang reportedly charged between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh for each fake certificate. Ratheesh is said to own multiple properties, including a house in Tirur, business establishments and apartments in the Gulf, and two bars and apartments in Pune. All accused were produced before the Ponnani court and remanded to the sub-jail.