The Maldives Police Service has announced that it will take strong legal action against individuals involved in the submission and use of fraudulent academic certificates, as reported cases continue to rise.

In an official statement, the police expressed concern over the growing trend of fake certificates being used to secure employment and higher education opportunities, warning that such acts not only distort academic and professional standards but also undermine the integrity of the country’s education system.

The police emphasized that these actions provide unfair advantages to perpetrators and directly impact the quality of public services by allowing unqualified individuals into critical roles.

Investigations are currently underway in collaboration with the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) and other relevant state agencies. According to the police, several cases have already been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for legal proceedings following investigations by the Fraud and Financial Investigations Department.

Authorities reminded the public that forging or misusing academic credentials is a criminal offense under the Maldives Penal Code:

• Section 310: Tampering with authentic documents and presenting forged copies as originals
• Section 311: Interference with official documents and records
• Section 312: Impersonation

The police affirmed their commitment to pursuing all such cases and holding offenders accountable under these legal provisions.

To combat the issue, the police have urged employers and educational institutions to strictly verify academic certificates through the established verification channels, particularly the Maldives Qualifications Framework. They emphasized the importance of vigilance from government bodies, universities, colleges, and private institutions when hiring or admitting individuals based on academic qualifications.

Furthermore, the police advised that any suspicions regarding the authenticity of a certificate should be reported to the Maldives Police Service after verifying with MQA or relevant authorities.

The Maldives Police Service reiterated its warning: forging documents is a serious crime, and all individuals and institutions have a responsibility to uphold integrity and transparency in recruitment and admissions processes.