Police warn public about fake academic documents

Police warn public about fake academic documents

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra

Police here warned the public of the widespread use of fake
university diplomas following the arrest of nine people
affiliated to a syndicate producing bogus academic documents.

Chief detective of the North Sumatra Police Sr. Supt. Iskandar
Hasan said nine people had been arrested between Thursday and
Saturday in connection with the fraud, which had been uncovered
after two applicants were found submitting fake diplomas to gain
admission to the Police Officer Training Academy in March.

Two of the suspects are lecturers from Medan Area University
and Nomensen University, both are based in Medan and were
identified only as SDS and MY respectively. Other suspects
include a subdistrict chief, an employee with the Medan mayoralty
administration and an employee with the North Sumatra Provincial
administration.

Police are now looking for another suspect, identified only as
S.

"The group had its own division of labor, with the two
lecturers issuing the bogus diplomas and the rest looking for
consumers," Iskandar said.

He said the syndicate had admitted to having sold 27 fake
diplomas to people who are now working in various companies in
North Sumatra, Aceh, Riau and other provinces in Kalimantan. A
diploma could sell for up to Rp 7 million (US$752).

"Most of the buyers had never attended university," Iskandar
said.

One of the bogus diploma holders is currently a member of the
regional legislature in Singkil, Aceh. But Iskandar refused to
identify the person.

"We found that this group of suspects counterfeited only Medan
Area and Nomensen University diplomas, but we will develop the
case further after receiving reports of fake diplomas from the
other universities involved," Iskandar said. Among the other
universities were Parahyanagn University in Bandung, North
Sumatra Islam University, Nusantara Swadaya School of Economy and
Bandung-based Merdeka University.

Iskandar said diplomas from the faculty of economics were the
most popular sellers.

Acting chairman of the Private University Coordinating Board
overseeing North Sumatra and Aceh, Djohar Arifin, said he had
long detected the spread of fake degrees.

At least 10 private companies have reported to the board the
use of fake diplomas by their employees over the past few years,
Djohar said.

Commenting on the involvement of one of the board's personnel,
Djohar said he would help the police investigate the case.

"We will suggest that the minister of national education
dismiss anyone who is found guilty," Djohar said.

"Such a crime should be eradicated, especially now that the
national education system is at its lowest ebb."