A 19-year-old Indian student has faced significant legal and academic consequences after being exposed for submitting a fraudulent application to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. His actions were uncovered following a Reddit post titled "I have built my life and career on lies," in which the student detailed his fabrications, including a falsified death certificate for his father to secure admission and a full scholarship.
### Details of the Fraud:
- **False Documents**: The student fabricated transcripts, financial documents, and a death certificate for his father.
- **Impersonation**: He also created a fake email address to impersonate a school principal to bolster his fraudulent application.
- **Scholarship**: His fraudulent application earned him an $85,000 full scholarship at Lehigh University.
### Exposure and Legal Actions:
- **Reddit Post**: The student's deception came to light after a Reddit moderator flagged his post. The moderator's investigation revealed that the student only followed Lehigh University, prompting them to notify the university.
- **University Response**: Lehigh University, with the help of the Lehigh University Police Department, conducted an investigation, leading to the revocation of the student's admission.
- **Arrest and Charges**: The student was arrested on April 30 and charged with forgery, theft, and tampering with records.
### Legal Outcome:
- **Guilty Plea**: On June 12, the student pleaded guilty to forgery.
- **Sentence**: He was sentenced to one to three months in Northampton County Prison, equivalent to time served.
- **Plea Deal**: As part of the plea deal, the student agreed to return to India. In return, Lehigh University decided not to pursue restitution of the $85,000 scholarship amount.
- **Dropped Charges**: The charges of theft and tampering with records were dropped as part of the deal.
### Statements and Reactions:
- **District Attorney's Office**: The Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta's office released details of the case, highlighting the student's confession and the role of the Reddit moderator in uncovering the fraud.
- **Prosecutor's Comments**: Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinert praised the Reddit moderators for their critical role in exposing the student's deception.
- **University's Gratitude**: Lehigh University expressed gratitude for the tip-off and the subsequent investigation that revealed the fraud.
### Broader Implications:
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and integrity in the admissions process. It also highlights the significant role of online communities in exposing fraudulent activities. The student's actions not only led to severe personal consequences but also served as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of academic dishonesty.
