Fake marksheets and degrees are often sold as "direct admission", "one-sitting degree" or "backdated degree". Some are printed by people with no link to any university. Others are issued by institutions that are real but had no right to award that course. Look out for these signs.
Warning signs
- The awarding body is on the UGC fake list, or its name is close to a real university's. Check the UGC fake-university list.
- The course could not be done in that mode, such as a distance engineering or nursing degree.
- The years do not add up. A three-year degree completed in one year, or a degree dated before the student finished Class 12.
- The offer promised a degree without exams or "guaranteed pass". Real universities hold exams and publish results.
- The university was not approved for that year. Online and distance approvals are given year by year.
- You cannot reach the university through its own website. Agents who keep you away from the university's official contact are a red flag. Check the website on Verify Campus.
- The university does not confirm it. Ask its examination section to verify the roll number and result. If it will not, do not rely on the document.
What to do
Do not pay more money to "fix" a degree. Keep receipts, messages and the agent's details. Report fraud on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or at your local police station, and tell the UGC about any institution that claims to award degrees without recognition.
Using a fake degree for a job or admission can lead to dismissal and criminal charges, even if you were cheated when you bought it.