- Zholia Alemi worked as an NHS psychiatrist for over 20 years on a forged University of Auckland degree.
- She was jailed for seven years at Manchester Crown Court on 28 February 2023.
- A confiscation order of £406,624 was made on 4 June 2025; her total criminal benefit was put at £1,204,819.30.
How it unfolded
- In 1995 Alemi submitted a forged medical degree certificate and a letter of verification to the General Medical Council.
- She was registered under provisions for Commonwealth graduates, a route the CPS says had not been used since 2003, and so avoided the PLAB exam.
- She worked as a consultant psychiatrist across England, Wales and Scotland for over 20 years, including with powers to detain patients.
- Cumbria Police obtained evidence from the University of Auckland proving the qualification was forged.
- Manchester Crown Court sentenced her on 28 February 2023 to seven years.
- On 4 June 2025 a confiscation order of £406,624 was made, payable within three months, with a further two and a half years in prison if unpaid.
The Alemi case in detail
The CPS summarises the convictions as 13 counts of fraud, two of forgery, three of obtaining by deception and two relating to material used to falsify medical qualifications. Over £1m was fraudulently obtained. The Chief Crown Prosecutor said she had little regard for patient welfare and must have treated hundreds of patients while unqualified. It shows that an old registration is not proof of a genuine qualification.
What the Medical Act says
Section 49 of the Medical Act 1983 makes it a summary offence to wilfully and falsely pretend to be a registered medical practitioner, or to use a title implying registration. The fine is up to level 5. Fraud and forgery offences carry much heavier sentences: see using a fake degree.
Consequences, split by type
| Type | What the case shows |
|---|---|
| Legal | Seven years' imprisonment and a confiscation order; section 49 is a separate, lesser offence |
| Practical | A career of over 20 years ended; the confiscation sum is repayable within three months or more time is added |
| Work | Patients treated by an unqualified person; decisions made under mental health powers |
| Identity | Forged documents carried an institution's name, so the University of Auckland was drawn into the investigation |
What employers and patients can check
A register entry and a degree are separate checks. A degree can be confirmed with the awarding university directly; for UK awards, employers use HEDD. For doctors, the General Medical Council keeps the public register: see how to check GMC registration. For overseas-trained doctors, the pathway is explained in GMC registration for overseas doctors. We did not open the GMC's own pages for this guide, so use its site for current procedure.
Nurses and others
The same pattern appears among nurses: a claim made once and never re-examined. Tanya Nasir was caught when a line manager raised concerns during a routine revalidation. See fake nurse consequences.
Frequently asked questions
How long did Zholia Alemi work as a psychiatrist?
Over 20 years, after GMC registration in 1995 on a forged degree and a letter of verification.
What was her sentence?
Seven years, on 28 February 2023 at Manchester Crown Court. A confiscation order of £406,624 followed on 4 June 2025.
How was the forgery proved?
Cumbria Police obtained evidence from the University of Auckland showing the qualification was forged.
Is falsely pretending to be a doctor an offence?
Yes. Section 49 of the Medical Act 1983 makes it a summary offence with a fine up to level 5. Fraud and forgery charges can carry far longer sentences.
How much did she obtain fraudulently?
The CPS put her total criminal benefit at £1,204,819.30, and the confiscation order was set at £406,624.
Can I check if a doctor is registered?
Yes, the General Medical Council keeps a public register of doctors. Use the GMC's own site for the current search steps.