Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], Nov 13 (ANI): The Hyderabad Police Task Force on Tuesday claimed to have held five people for allegedly selling fake educational certificates. The police made these arrests after raiding different consultancy agencies across the city.

The accused have been identified as Julukuntla Srikanth Reddy, Mohd Ateeq Ur Rahman, Kancha Sharath Chandra Prasad, Imran Shaik, and Akil Manati. The consultancy agencies which were raided included Just Visa Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Indo European Education Foundation, and Risers Organization Consultancy.

The accused used to provide fake certificates and documents of various universities including Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Osmania University, Acharya Nagarjuna University, and several others.

Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar said, "The accused used to collect Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 from each candidate to provide a study or work VISA by producing fake educational certificates. They would also charge Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for generating fake recommendation letters of universities and institutions for higher education in foreign countries from each candidate."

Apart from the fake certificates, the police also recovered damaged original certificates, computers, laptops, printers, stamps, fake letterheads, Indian passports, visiting cards, and other incriminating material during the raids.

Police have also appealed to the people to be more vigilant and cautious while approaching consultancies for any help. They further requested the public to only approach the recruiting agents authorized by the Protector of Emigrants. (ANI)