Police bust fake marks card racket in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In a major crackdown on an education fraud network, the special inquiry wing of Central Crime Branch (CCB) has unearthed a racket that allegedly supplied fake academic certificates and marks cards to students in exchange for money, bypassing the need for actual education or exams.Based on credible information, cops raided Digital Distance Education Mission in Koramangala 5th Block Friday. According to a complaint filed by inspector SR Veerendra Prasad, the police commissioner asked him to verify the allegations against the centre. Police got confirmation that the centre was involved in issuing fake certificates, and a raid was conducted.The proprietor of the centre, Raja Reddy, allegedly targeted students by obtaining their mobile phone numbers and contacting them through his staff. The students were lured with promises of admission to reputed institutions, including Florence College, Kalaniketan College, MVJ College, Tipu Sultan College, and Vidyaranya College.According to police, the students were offered an illegal shortcut to academic qualifications. Without completing SSLC (class 10), PUC (class 12), or attending regular college courses, they were allegedly assured direct degree certificates upon payments ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000.According to sources, the fake marks cards and academic records were prepared with the assistance of Aryan alias Tanumoy Debroy. The forged documents were then dispatched to students through a well-known courier service, giving the appearance of genuine academic credentials.Preliminary investigation also indicated that during the academic year 2025-26, more than 50 fake marks cards and certificates were allegedly created and distributed to individuals not enrolled in the colleges concerned.The scam has raised serious concerns about the misuse of educational credentials and the potential impact on the integrity of academic institutions, a senior officer said. A case has been registered under Sections 112 (petty organised crime), 61 (criminal conspiracy), 318 (cheating), 336 (forgery), and 340 (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine). A senior officer said a couple of accused have been secured, and efforts are on to nab others involved in the case.