UK Student Visa Holder Held at Hyderabad Airport for Fraud

A man travelling to London on a UK student visa was detained at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after immigration officials discovered that he had used forged academic documents to secure the visa.

The detainee—identified as Mohammad Shahabazuddin, in his mid‑30s and a resident of Andhra Pradesh—was intercepted during routine pre‑departure immigration checks. Officials uncovered a counterfeit B.Tech degree from JNTU Hyderabad and a forged Intermediate marks memo issued by the Andhra Pradesh State Board. Subsequent verification also revealed a fake B.Com degree from Nagarjuna University, along with an additional falsified B.Tech certificate.

India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been invoked, and a formal case registered against Shahabazuddin. The local police and immigration authorities are continuing to investigate to determine if others were complicit in the forgery network.

The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny of study‑abroad applications, particularly those from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities, amid growing concerns over fraudulent visa procurement. The airport authorities have urged students to ensure the authenticity of their submitted documents to avoid legal repercussions.

Implications & Trends

• Visa process enforcement: This case highlights the intensifying vigilance at exit checkpoints and the increased probability of detection for forged or manipulated academic credentials.
• Spread of document fraud: Reports indicate such incidents are not isolated, with foreign-bound students increasingly turning to unregulated consultancies that promise easy visa approvals using fake certificates.
• Legal consequences: Using counterfeit documents for international travel opens individuals up to criminal charges, including possible imprisonment, fines, and future travel bans.

Takeaway for Prospective Study‑Abroad Applicants

• Authenticate credentials: Obtain all academic and identity certificates directly from issuing authorities. Cross-verify for signature authenticity, official seals, and recognized formats.
• Rely on established consultancies: Engage only with reputable, verified agencies that operate transparently. Avoid advisors promising guarantees or facilitating dubious document acquisition.
• Prepare for audits: Be ready for immigration authorities to request additional verification of your credentials—at both departure and entry points.

This arrest underscores a growing challenge within the overseas education sector and reiterates the importance of legal compliance for Indian students pursuing studies abroad.