Police warn public about fake academic documents<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
Police here warned the public of the widespread use of fake
\nuniversity diplomas following the arrest of nine people
\naffiliated to a syndicate producing bogus academic documents.<\/p>\n
Chief detective of the North Sumatra Police Sr. Supt. Iskandar
\nHasan said nine people had been arrested between Thursday and
\nSaturday in connection with the fraud, which had been uncovered
\nafter two applicants were found submitting fake diplomas to gain
\nadmission to the Police Officer Training Academy in March.<\/p>\n
Two of the suspects are lecturers from Medan Area University
\nand Nomensen University, both are based in Medan and were
\nidentified only as SDS and MY respectively. Other suspects
\ninclude a subdistrict chief, an employee with the Medan mayoralty
\nadministration and an employee with the North Sumatra Provincial
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Police are now looking for another suspect, identified only as
\nS.<\/p>\n
\"The group had its own division of labor, with the two
\nlecturers issuing the bogus diplomas and the rest looking for
\nconsumers,\" Iskandar said.<\/p>\n
He said the syndicate had admitted to having sold 27 fake
\ndiplomas to people who are now working in various companies in
\nNorth Sumatra, Aceh, Riau and other provinces in Kalimantan. A
\ndiploma could sell for up to Rp 7 million (US$752).<\/p>\n
\"Most of the buyers had never attended university,\" Iskandar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
One of the bogus diploma holders is currently a member of the
\nregional legislature in Singkil, Aceh. But Iskandar refused to
\nidentify the person.<\/p>\n
\"We found that this group of suspects counterfeited only Medan
\nArea and Nomensen University diplomas, but we will develop the
\ncase further after receiving reports of fake diplomas from the
\nother universities involved,\" Iskandar said. Among the other
\nuniversities were Parahyanagn University in Bandung, North
\nSumatra Islam University, Nusantara Swadaya School of Economy and
\nBandung-based Merdeka University.<\/p>\n
Iskandar said diplomas from the faculty of economics were the
\nmost popular sellers.<\/p>\n
Acting chairman of the Private University Coordinating Board
\noverseeing North Sumatra and Aceh, Djohar Arifin, said he had
\nlong detected the spread of fake degrees.<\/p>\n
At least 10 private companies have reported to the board the
\nuse of fake diplomas by their employees over the past few years,
\nDjohar said.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the involvement of one of the board's personnel,
\nDjohar said he would help the police investigate the case.<\/p>\n
\"We will suggest that the minister of national education
\ndismiss anyone who is found guilty,\" Djohar said.<\/p>\n
\"Such a crime should be eradicated, especially now that the
\nnational education system is at its lowest ebb.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-warn-public-about-fake-academic-documents-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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