A 28-year-old student from Telangana, Pakiru Gopal Reddy, was deported from the United States after it was discovered that he had used forged educational certificates to obtain a student visa. He was arrested at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) on June 1, 2025, following his return from the US. Reddy, a native of Parepalligudem in Nalgonda district, had initially travelled to the US on September 28, 2023, using counterfeit BSc Computers certificates allegedly issued by Madurai Kamaraj University. He was pursuing a master’s degree at Webster University in Missouri when the fraud came to light.
Visa Fraud Racket Busted After Student’s Deportation from US
Reddy’s SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) status had become inactive, which led to his deportation from Dallas airport in May 2025 during his second visit to the US. Upon interrogation by immigration officials in Hyderabad, Reddy confessed that the fake documents had been arranged by Katoju Ashok, managing director of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited, based in Vanasthalipuram. Acting on this confession, police arrested Ashok on June 2.
Ashok admitted to providing similar forged degree certificates to at least 15 students since 2020, charging between ₹80,000 and ₹1 lakhs per client. During a search of Ashok’s office, authorities recovered 150 counterfeit documents, including mark sheets, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters that bore the names of Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University. Additional items seized included company stamps, four mobile phones, and ₹10 lakhs in cash.
Student Visa Scam Triggers Crackdown on Fake Documents and Consultancies
The case has sparked concerns about the growing use of fake documentation to obtain student visas and the involvement of fraudulent education consultancies. Police believe that more individuals may be linked to this forgery racket, and the investigation is ongoing to trace other beneficiaries of these fake documents. Officials are expected to implement stricter verification measures to prevent such visa fraud in the future.
Summary:
A Telangana student was deported from the US for using fake certificates to obtain a student visa. His confession led to the arrest of a consultancy head who issued similar forgeries to 15 others. Police seized fake documents and cash, triggering a wider investigation into student visa fraud.
