- Fraud by false representation carries up to 10 years on indictment under the Fraud Act 2006.
- Using a false instrument is a separate offence under section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, also up to 10 years on indictment.
- Section 214 of the Education Reform Act 1988 is aimed at those who grant or offer bogus degrees in the course of business.
- In the Nasir and Alemi cases the CPS reported sentences of five and seven years.
The offences that apply to a user
| Law | What it covers | Penalty we read |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud Act 2006, s.2 | Dishonestly making a false representation, intending to gain or to cause loss or risk of loss | Up to 10 years on indictment, or a fine, or both (s.1(3)) |
| Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, s.3 | Using an instrument you know or believe is false, intending someone to accept it as genuine and act on it to their or another's prejudice | Up to 10 years on indictment, or on summary conviction a fine up to the statutory maximum or up to 6 months (s.6) |
| Education Reform Act 1988, s.214 | In the course of business, granting or offering an award that looks like a UK degree, without being a recognised body | Fine up to level 5 on summary conviction |
Section 2 of the Fraud Act says a representation is false if it is untrue or misleading and the person knows it might be. A representation can be express or implied, so handing over a certificate with a CV can be enough. These are ceilings from the texts, not a forecast of any sentence.
Who section 214 reaches
Section 214 targets sellers and certificate mills, and includes defences for certain awards granted before 1988. It is enforced by local weights and measures authorities and by the police in England and Wales. It does not make a buyer guilty on its own, but a buyer who uses the certificate to get a job, place or promotion can face fraud and forgery charges instead. The statutes are brought together at UK law on fake documents.
Cases the CPS has reported
Zholia Alemi. Alemi was sentenced on 28 February 2023 on 13 fraud counts, two of forgery, three of deception and two of using material to falsify medical qualifications. The CPS says she forged qualifications purportedly from the University of Auckland, although she had dropped out after her first year, to enter the medical register and then worked more than twenty years as an NHS psychiatrist. A confiscation order of £406,624 was made, payable within three months, with 2.5 years added in default.
Tanya Nasir. Nasir was sentenced to five years on 17 October 2024 at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. She had claimed a nursing qualification date of 2010 when the real date was 2014, invented degrees, military service and references, and was found out at a routine revalidation in January 2020. See fake nurse consequences and fake doctor cases.
If you have already bought or used one
- Stop using it, in applications, on profiles and in conversation with employers.
- Do not hand it to anyone new, and do not throw away evidence of how you obtained it before getting advice.
- Take independent legal advice, for example from a solicitor who handles criminal or employment matters.
- Report the seller through the GOV.UK scams page, or to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
- Look at the lawful route: a replacement from the real awarding university, or a replacement certificate.
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a prosecution is likely in your case. That depends on the facts and the prosecutor.
- Employment consequences, which differ by employer and profession.
- Immigration consequences, which are for the Home Office rules and a qualified adviser.
For how institutions are recognised, see check if a university is real, and for the seller side see diploma mill warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to use a fake degree?
It can be. Using one to get a job can be fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006, and using a false instrument is an offence under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. Whether a charge follows depends on the facts and the prosecutor.
What is the maximum sentence for fraud?
Up to 10 years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both, on conviction on indictment under section 1(3) of the Fraud Act 2006. Using a false instrument also carries up to 10 years on indictment under section 6 of the 1981 Act. Magistrates' courts have a lower limit, and actual sentences depend on the facts of each case.
Does section 214 of the Education Reform Act cover buyers?
No. It is aimed at someone who, in the course of business, grants or offers an award that looks like a UK degree without being recognised. Using the certificate can still engage the fraud and forgery offences. The text of section 214 includes defences for certain older awards, which are for a lawyer to explain.
What happened to Zholia Alemi?
The CPS reports she was sentenced to seven years on 28 February 2023 for using forged qualifications to enter the medical register and working as an NHS psychiatrist for over twenty years. A confiscation order of £406,624 followed, with 2.5 years' imprisonment if unpaid.
What should I do if I bought a fake degree?
Stop using it, take independent legal advice, and report the seller through the GOV.UK scams page or to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If you hold a genuine degree that you lost, ask the awarding university for a replacement. This page is general information, not legal advice, so take advice that fits your own situation.
Sources and official links
- Fraud Act 2006, section 2
- Fraud Act 2006, section 1
- Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, section 3
- Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, section 6
- Education Reform Act 1988, section 214
- CPS: fake doctor ordered to pay back £406,624
- CPS: fraudster jailed for lying about qualifications to gain a senior nursing job
- GOV.UK: report suspicious emails, websites and scams