US to Deport Indian Student After Reddit Uncovers His Fake Story About Father’s Death

A 19-year-old Indian student studying in the United States is set to be deported after it was found that his entire application, including documents for a full scholarship, was fake. The truth came out when a Reddit moderator flagged a post titled “I have built my life and career on lies,” which detailed his fabrications. The student had faked his father’s death to secure a full scholarship.

IndiaToday.in has chosen not to disclose the student’s identity.

The student had enrolled at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in August 2023 as a first-year student. However, his admission was revoked this year after it was discovered that he had forged his father’s death certificate.

On June 12, he pleaded guilty to forgery and was sentenced to one to three months in Northampton County Prison, which was equivalent to the time he had already served, according to his defense attorney Molly Heidorn, as reported by LehighValleyLive News.

As part of a plea deal, the student, named Anand, agreed to return to India. Lehigh University decided not to seek restitution of $85,000 (approximately Rs 70 Lakh). Charges of theft and tampering with records were dropped.

He was initially arrested and charged on April 30, according to a news release.

The entire fraud was exposed after a Reddit post titled “I have built my life and career on lies” revealed the student’s deceit.

The student admitted to falsifying transcripts, financial documents, and a death certificate for his father as part of his scheme, according to a release from District Attorney Stephen Baratta’s office.

The release also mentioned that the 19-year-old had created a fake email address to impersonate a school principal.

Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinert explained the crucial role the Reddit moderator played in exposing the student’s fraud.

“The defendant only had one other university that he followed, which was Lehigh University. So, the moderator actually reached out to Lehigh to give them a heads up,” said Weinert.

Lehigh University expressed gratitude for the tip-off by the Lehigh University Police Department and the subsequent investigation, reported ABC News.