Aryan Anand, a 19-year-old Indian student studying at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, built his entire academic career on a foundation of lies. His elaborate scheme, which involved forging transcripts, financial statements, and even a death certificate, came crashing down when a Reddit moderator flagged a post where Anand confessed to his deception. In the post, titled “I have built my life and career on lies,” Anand admitted that his primary motivation was to secure admission and financial aid to study in the United States.
Anand’s carefully constructed facade began to crumble after his arrest on April 30 for forgery and theft of services. Before his arrest, Lehigh University had granted Anand a full scholarship, and he had enrolled in the university. However, his carefully crafted persona unraveled when a Reddit moderator spotted his confession and alerted Lehigh University authorities.
The university’s investigation revealed the extent of Anand’s deception. He had fabricated documents to make it appear as though he had a stellar academic record and a financially sound family. He even went so far as to forge a death certificate for his father, despite the fact that his father was still alive.
Anand faced multiple charges, including forgery, tampering with records, and theft by deception. He was released on bail in June but ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of forgery. While he faced a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years, university officials intervened, leading to his expulsion and deportation back to India.
The Reddit moderator’s vigilance played a crucial role in bringing Anand’s scheme to light. Northampton County Assistant D.A. Michael Weinert highlighted the moderator’s sharp observation, noting that he likely wouldn’t have known who to contact without a key error in Anand’s post. The error, according to Weinert, was Anand’s exclusive focus on Lehigh University. This allowed the moderator to directly contact the university with their suspicions.
Lehigh University expressed gratitude for the moderator’s report and for the diligent work of their police department, who investigated Anand’s claims and uncovered the truth. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of academic dishonesty and highlights the power of online platforms in exposing such schemes.
