Lehigh University student fakes father’s death to get scholarship – NBC10 Philadelphia

A former freshman at Lehigh University is facing charges for faking his father’s death in order to receive a scholarship to the university, authorities said.

Aryan Anand, 19, is a foreign student from India who was studying at Lehigh University on a full scholarship, authorities said.

The Northampton County District Attorney’s Office said Anand’s admission to the school was canceled in 2024 after officials discovered he had faked his father’s death to receive the scholarship.

Anand is alleged to have created and submitted fake documents, including transcripts, financial aid, tax returns, proof of income and a death certificate. He is also alleged to have created an email address and posed as a school principal.

The investigation into Anand began after a moderator on the social media site Reddit informed Lehigh University about a post titled “I built my life and career on lies,” officials said.

During the investigation by the Lehigh University Police Department, it was confirmed that the post was written by Anand. The investigation also revealed that his father was alive and living in India.

Anand was arrested on April 30, 2024 and charged with forgery, tampering with documents, theft by deception and theft of official authority.

Anand was arraigned and his bail was set at $25,000. During a preliminary hearing on May 14, he waived his right to a hearing and his charges were forwarded to the Court of Common Pleas.

On June 12, Anand negotiated a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of forgery and agreed to return to India.

Anand was handed over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.