Fake diploma operation in Ankara: 400 academics involved in irregular appointments!

As part of an investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Cybercrimes Investigation Bureau, an indictment has been prepared against 65 suspects identified as issuing fake diplomas and driver's licenses. Prison sentences of up to 50 years have been requested for the suspects.

The investigation determined that electronic signatures belonging to officials at Gazi University and the Ministry of National Education (MEB) were illegally copied and used. It was discovered that university diplomas were produced with fake e-signatures, and that driver's licenses as well as written and driving test results were altered in the system to show individuals as successful.

In this context, 16 of the individuals detained were arrested by the duty magistrate, and an indictment concerning a total of 134 suspects was completed in May. In the case opened at the Ankara 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance, prison sentences ranging from 6 to 45 years were requested for the suspects on charges of "violating the ÖSYM Law," "forgery of official documents," "unauthorized access to an information system," and "unlawful acquisition of data."

According to information in the indictment, it was determined that the suspects accessed Gazi University and MEB systems through electronic certificate service providers named E-İMZATR and TÜRKTRUST. It was noted that graduation records were created and fake diplomas were issued in this manner, with fees collected in amounts described as "demanding up to 400 thousand liras" in exchange. Furthermore, it was stated that the identity information of some individuals was seized to generate e-signatures on behalf of others.

In the later stages of the investigation, it was determined that the e-signatures of the President and Vice President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), the Head of the Higher Education Council's Education and Training Department, as well as the heads of student affairs departments and some personnel from 14 different universities were also copied. Following this development, a separate case was opened against 65 suspects at the Ankara 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The indictment in question included information that the suspects had issued and registered 39 fake university diplomas into the system.

According to the statements given by the suspects, it was also determined that approximately 400 academics were involved in irregular appointments, and many of these individuals held the titles of associate professor and professor.

News Source: İHA