A major fraud involving a fake website impersonating the Uttar Pradesh Board has been exposed, with cyber crime police arresting two accused from Azamgarh. The accused were running a racket that created and sold forged mark sheets and certificates to students and parents. Investigations reveal that nearly 7,000 fake documents had been circulated in the market over the years.
Complaint Exposes Fake UP Board Portal
The case originated in September 2025 when a complaint was filed by a senior official from the secondary education department regarding a fake website designed to resemble the official UP Board portal. The website allegedly offered services such as increasing marks and issuing duplicate mark sheets, targeting students seeking quick solutions.
During the probe, cyber teams traced digital footprints and online activity, eventually identifying and arresting the accused—Shashi Prakash Rai alias Rajan Sharma and Manish Kumar Rai, both residents of the Bardah police station area in Azamgarh.
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Shri Education: Decade-Long Forgery Racket
According to interrogation details, the accused operated a call centre under the name “Shri Education.” Through this setup, they ran advertisements on social media platforms claiming they could help students improve their marks or obtain new mark sheets. These ads attracted students and parents, who then contacted the operators.
The accused would then prepare fake mark sheets and certificates of various boards and universities. Each document was sold for ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 and delivered through courier services, allowing the network to operate discreetly for years without raising suspicion.
Investigators found that the accused had been involved in this illegal activity since 2014 and gradually expanded their operations, targeting thousands of individuals. The combination of a fake website and a structured call centre system helped the racket sustain itself over a long period.
Major Haul: 42 Seals, 217 Fake Documents
During the raid, police recovered 10 mobile phones, 42 fake seals, 217 forged mark sheets, computer systems, printers, and other equipment used to manufacture fake documents and manage client communication.
Cybersecurity experts note that such scams rely heavily on social engineering techniques, exploiting the desperation of students seeking better results or quick academic credentials. Fake websites and convincing online advertisements are used to build trust before executing the fraud.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network, trace financial transactions, and assess the full scale of operations. Authorities believe more arrests are likely as the probe progresses, potentially exposing a wider education fraud racket.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
