An online seller has been indicted for allegedly forging academic certificates, the Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office said, adding that more than 60 percent of the buyers were military personnel.
A woman in Taichung, surnamed Chu (朱), allegedly sold fake academic certificates online through Shopee for NT$5,000 each from July 2024 to May last year, which she said looked “realistic,” the prosecutors said.
Chu allegedly downloaded graduation certificate templates and seals from several universities and then filled them in with buyers’ personal information, they said.
Photo: Taipei Times
Of Chu’s nine buyers, six were military personnel who bought college or high school diplomas, they added.
One of them allegedly bought a fake diploma from the Central Police University and gave it to military human resources personnel, who were unaware it was fake, raising concern about military personnel files’ accuracy, the prosecutors said.
Other buyers included a man surnamed Chang (張), who allegedly bought a doctorate diploma from National Taiwan University, and a man surnamed Chen (陳), who allegedly bought a master’s diploma from Feng Chia University and gave it to a major technology company, they said.
One buyer did not use their forged certificate, they added.
Police said the military personnel likely bought the fake certificates to meet requirements for promotions, bonuses or specialized departments.
Prosecutors at the end of last year directed the Investigation Bureau to seize Chu’s phone, blank certificates, seals, stamps and other evidence, as well as the forged certificates of the nine buyers.
All 10 defendants have been indicted on charges of forgery.
The prosecutors asked the court to impose suspended sentences or fines for the eight buyers who admitted to the offenses, surrendered their forged certificates and showed improved conduct.
Investigators warned that buyers of forged academic certificates could include members of fraud rings impersonating prosecutors or police.
Over the past few years, fraudsters impersonating criminal investigators, detectives or engineers have presented forged diplomas or employment certificates to gain their victims’ trust, they said.
They would use fake diplomas as props to help “prove” their identity, prosecutors said.
It is difficult for people to verify the documents’ authenticity, reinforcing fraudsters’ narratives, they added.
Illegal items have previously circulated through online platforms such as Shopee, including firearms sold under the guise of toy guns, police said.
People have also been suspected of using online platforms to sell drugs under the guise of other products, they said.
People might not realize the items they are buying are illegal, but could still break the law by purchasing them, police said.
If people come across items they suspect could be illegal, they can report them to the platform and notify police, they added.
Shopee said it has taken swift action in response to the case, removing the seller’s storefront and permanently suspending the account.
It added it has provided relevant information to prosecutors and police in accordance with regulations, and has since conducted a comprehensive review along with preventive measures.
The company also warned sellers against attempting to circumvent platform rules by listing prohibited items or evading inspections. Violators could face penalties up to permanent account suspension and may be referred to law enforcement authorities for further legal action, it added.
This article has been updated since it was first posted.
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