The Aryan Anand admission fraud case is a striking example of how academic dishonesty can have severe repercussions. This case study explores how Anand’s deceit was uncovered, the specific actions he took to perpetrate his fraud, and the lessons aspiring students can learn from this incident.
Background and Admission Fraud
Aryan Anand, a 19-year-old Indian student, was expelled from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for lying on his admission applications and defrauding the university. Anand had secured a full Scholarships to study at Lehigh University by submitting forged documents, including academic transcripts, financial records, tax returns, and a fake death certificate for his father. He also created a fake email address to pose as his school principal.
Exposure Through Reddit
The unraveling of Anand’s deceit began with a Reddit post titled “I built my life and career on lies.” In this post, Anand anonymously confessed to fabricating his entire application to gain admission and financial aid at Lehigh University. He detailed his methods and the extent of his forgeries.
Aryan Anand – the fraud [mods please pin]
byu/GuptaAnup inLehigh
Reddit Moderator’s Role
A Reddit moderator, upon reading Anand’s post, conducted further research and identified him as a student at Lehigh University. The moderator then alerted Lehigh University officials, providing them with all the evidence gathered from Anand’s confession and additional research. This tip-off was crucial in initiating the investigation into Anand’s fraudulent activities.
Lehigh University Investigation On The Aryan Anand Case
Lehigh University’s Ethics Hotline and their police department took the lead in the investigation. They verified the claims made in the Reddit post and confirmed that the documents Anand submitted were indeed forged. The investigation also revealed that Anand’s father was alive and residing in India, directly contradicting the death certificate he had submitted. Anand’s admission was revoked with immediate effect.
Legal Actions and Charges
On April 30, 2024, Aryan Anand was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including forgery, tampering with documents, theft by deception, and theft of official authority. He faced serious legal repercussions, including potential prison time of 10 to 20 years for his crimes. During his preliminary hearing on May 14, Anand waived his right to a hearing, and his charges were forwarded to the Court of Common Pleas.
Guilty Plea and Deportation
On June 12, Anand negotiated a deal where he pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, a second-degree felony in Pennsylvania. As part of this plea deal, Anand agreed to return to India. The university administration intervened, leading to Anand’s expulsion from Lehigh University and deportation to India instead of a lengthy prison sentence. Additionally, Lehigh University waived Anand’s obligation to repay $85,000 in scholarship funds. Anand was released on a $25,000 bail by Judge Jordan A. Knisley on June 12, 2024.
What Exactly Did Anand Do?
Anand’s academic journey took a downturn after his 10th board exams were canceled. He barely passed 11th grade with 49% and struggled through 12th grade, eventually realizing that he wouldn’t succeed in the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination). Faced with the bleak prospects of his academic future in India, he decided to look for opportunities abroad.
Crafting a Fraudulent Application
Understanding the stringent requirements for admission and financial aid at US universities, Anand devised a meticulous plan to forge his way into a prestigious institution. Here are the steps he took:
- Forging Academic Documents: Anand edited his 9th to 11th-grade results and fabricated a predicted result for his 12th grade. He also bought a fake stamp and seal of his school’s principal to make the documents appear legitimate.
- Creating a Fake School Email: To send these documents, Anand created a fake email address that mimicked his school’s official domain, ensuring that any verification attempts by the university would be directed to an email he controlled.
- Building a Fake Profile: Anand crafted a completely false profile, listing impressive but unverifiable extracurricular achievements and awards. He used ChatGPT to help write his application essays by feeding it successful examples and requesting similar outputs.
- Submitting Multiple Applications: Anand applied to numerous US colleges that promised to meet the financial needs of admitted students, stating he could not contribute any money towards his education.
Escalation of Deception
When some universities accepted him but did not offer full financial aid, Anand took his deceit further:
- Faking His Father’s Death: To secure additional financial aid, Anand forged a death certificate for his father, claiming he had died of cancer, thus reducing the family’s income significantly. This prompted the university to increase his aid package to cover all costs, including tuition, housing, meals, and an annual round-trip ticket to India.
- Forging 12th Grade Results: Concerned about passing his 12th-grade exams, Anand edited his actual result from 58% to 91% and sent the fake result to the university.
Anand’s Life in the US and Further Deceptions
Upon arriving at Lehigh University in August 2023, Anand continued his dishonest practices:
- Cheating on Exams: To maintain his scholarship, which required a minimum GPA, Anand cheated on his exams by smuggling the question paper out of the exam hall, finding answers online, and submitting the answers upon re-entering.
- Faking Internships: Needing money for personal expenses, Anand created a fake resume and secured a remote marketing internship by posing as a third-year student. He performed minimal work, often clocking in while watching movies, and earned $1500 a month.
Exposure and Consequences
Anand’s elaborate web of lies began to unravel when he anonymously posted on Reddit about his fraudulent activities. A moderator, recognizing the seriousness of the confession, reported the post to Lehigh University. This led to an investigation by the university, arrest by the authorities, framing of charges, expulsion from Lehigh University and eventual deportation to India.
Lessons for a Study Abroad Aspirant
Malpractices and their Potential Negative Consequences
Anand engaged in multiple malpractices, including forging academic documents, fabricating extracurricular achievements, falsifying financial documents, and even creating a fake death certificate for his father. These actions are outright illegal and are termed academic fraud. Indulging in such deceitful practices can lead to severe administrative penalties, including immediate expulsion, revocation of degrees, criminal legal action, and permanent blacklisting from other universities.
Beyond administrative and legal repercussions, the moral and ethical consequences are profound. Individuals may face a lifelong loss of trust from peers, institutions, and potential employers. Living a lie can cause immense mental and emotional stress, impacting overall well-being. A single act of dishonesty can permanently tarnish an individual’s reputation, affecting personal and professional relationships.
Preparation Tips for Genuine Applicants
To avoid the temptation of forgery and deceit, it is essential to prepare thoroughly for the university application process. Here are some tips:
- Start Early: Begin researching universities, programs, and their requirements well in advance, allowing ample time to gather necessary documents and meet application deadlines.
- Seek Guidance: Consult educational consultants, mentors, and online forums to get accurate information and advice on the application process.
- Maintain Honesty: Be truthful in presenting academic records, extracurricular activities, and financial information. Authenticity is fundamental.
- Enhance Your Profile: Participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and internships. Genuine experiences enhance your profile and provide valuable skills and knowledge.
- Prepare for Standardized Tests: Dedicate time to prepare for required standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS.
- Craft Genuine Essays: Write personal and reflective essays that express your motivations, goals, and experiences. Seek feedback, but ensure the final submission is your own work.
- Understand Financial Aid Options: Research and provide accurate financial information to demonstrate need without resorting to falsification.
- Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to articulate your achievements, goals, and reasons for choosing the university.
Conclusion
The Aryan Anand case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity in the university application process. By avoiding fraudulent practices and adhering to ethical standards, aspiring students can achieve their academic and career goals legitimately. Genuine efforts, thorough preparation, and honesty are the keys to success in securing admission and scholarships at prestigious institutions abroad.
At Project LL.M., we emphasize the importance of genuine efforts and ethical practices in achieving academic and career goals. Anand’s case serves as a cautionary tale that while fraudulent actions might offer short-term gains, they lead to long-term repercussions that can irreparably damage one’s future. The lessons from this incident are clear: aspiring students must prioritize ethical practices and seek support from legitimate resources to achieve their academic goals.
