In late 2025, Kerala Police in India dismantled a multi-state fake degree racket, arresting 11 suspects and seizing over 100,000 counterfeit certificates linked to around 22 universities or institutions. Authorities estimated that up to 1 million fraudulent degrees could be in circulation. The forged documents primarily targeted fields like medicine, nursing, and engineering, and were sold for ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh (roughly $900–$1,800 USD).
Australian lawmakers were outraged to know their country, along with several Western countries, were duped by the scammers.
In the post, McEnany cited figures on visa approvals since 2015 and referenced allegations from a former official, reported by Newsweek, regarding widespread fraud and the use of fraudulent documentation in some H-1B applications originating from India.
These documents were allegedly used for jobs and visa applications abroad, including in the U.S. While direct links to specific approved H-1B visas would require further investigation by U.S. authorities, the scale raises serious questions about credential verification in the immigration process.
A former U.S. consular officer, Mahvash Siddiqui, who adjudicated thousands of visas (including many H-1Bs) at the U.S. consulate in Chennai, India, alleged in 2025 that 80–90% of H-1B applications from the region involved fraudulent documentation or unqualified applicants. She described forged degrees, transcripts, employment letters, and other supporting materials, often facilitated by visa consultancies.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/shock-video-fake-indian-degree-racket-busted-kerala/
https://www.amren.com/news/2026/09/shock-video-fake-indian-degree-racket-busted-by-kerala-police-over-100000-fake-university-degree-certificates-confiscated-including-medical-degrees/