Authorities: Seized more than 100,000 fake degree certificates in major Indian H-1B visa fraud crackdown

Authorities in India have uncovered a major network involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit university degree certificates, with police seizing more than 100,000 fake documents linked to numerous institutions. The operation, run by an individual identified as Dhaneesh, also known as "Dany," operated from a clandestine printing press in Tamil Nadu and distributed forged certificates nationwide. These documents featured forged signatures, holograms, and university seals, and were sold for between 75,000 and 150,000 Indian rupees each. Preliminary investigations suggest the racket may have supplied fraudulent degrees to over one million individuals.

This development has raised concerns about the integrity of the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The Center for Immigration Studies has previously highlighted the prevalence of fake degrees in India, including from institutions like Manav Bharti University, which sold 36,025 fake degrees between 2010 and 2020. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has admitted it does not track data on H-1B awardees who obtained degrees from such institutions. Critics argue that the H-1B system lacks sufficient oversight, with some suggesting that fraudulent practices are facilitated by political and corporate actors.