US deports Indian student after Reddit exposes his fake father’s death story

A 19-year-old Indian student in the US has been deported and is set to be deported after his entire application, including the documents for a full scholarship, was found to be fake. His fraud came to light when a Reddit moderator flagged a post titled “I built my life and career on lies” that detailed his fabrications. The student, Aryan Anand, faked his father’s death to receive a full scholarship.

Aryan Anand had enrolled as a freshman at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in August 2023, but his admission was revoked this year after his father’s death certificate was discovered to be forged.

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On June 12, he pleaded guilty to forgery and was sentenced to one to three months in the Northampton County Jail, which is time already served, according to his defense attorney, Molly Heidorn, LehighValleyLive News reported.

As part of the deal, Anand agreed to return to India and Lehigh University waived his right to repay $85,000 (about Rs. 70 lakh). Charges of theft and tampering with records were dropped.

Anand was initially arrested and charged on April 30, the press release said.

The whole cheating saga came to light after a Reddit post titled “I built my life and career on lies” exposed Anand.

The Indian student in the United States confessed to falsifying certificates, financial documents and a death certificate of his father as part of his plot, according to a press release from District Attorney Stephen Baratta’s office.

The press release also states that the 19-year-old created a fake email address to pose as a school principal.

Michael Weinert, assistant district attorney for Northampton County, explained the moderator’s crucial role in exposing Anand.

“The defendant only had one other university in mind, Lehigh University. So the moderator reached out to Lehigh University to inform them,” Weinert said.

Lehigh University expressed gratitude for the tip-off and the subsequent investigation.

“We thank Lehigh University Police for reporting to our Ethics Hotline and the thorough investigation that led to the arrest of Aryan Anand,” the university said, according to ABC News.