Everyone lies on their resume, but some lies are more tolerable than others.
For instance, if I say that I’m fluent in 27 languages even though I can only speak English, it’d seem impressive, but probably wouldn’t come up in an interview.
However, if you exaggerate your qualifications, you’re bound to get caught, as it’s the first thing employers and the authorities look at.
And that’s exactly what happened to two Indian nationals working here recently.
2 Indian Nationals Caught Submitting False Qualifications to MOM to Get S Pass
The two men in question are Bailwal Sunil Dutt and Sutradhar Bijoy.
In 2015, Bijoy made an application for an S Pass here to be employed by Lye M S Trading as an assistant warehouse manager.
Similarly, Dutt made an application in 2020 to be employed by the restaurant Al Capone’s as a cook.
To know more about S Pass and other work passes in Singapore, watch this video to the end:
In their applications, both men stated that they had a bachelor’s degree from Manav Bharti University (MBU), a officially recognized institution that was set up by the Indian Government in 2009.
However, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) discovered earlier this year that the Indian government was investigating MBU for selling fake degrees, even though they had also issued genuine degrees.
This prompted the government to launch a probe into 23 foreigners who had declared qualifications from MBU in their work pass applications, and they soon found out that several individuals had lied about their qualifications.
Sentenced to JailÂ
Yesterday (27 July), Dutt was sentenced to one week in jail, while Bijoy will spend four weeks behind bars.
Their work passes have been revoked and they are now permanently barred from working in Singapore, MOM said.
Another work pass holder was also charged with the same offence.
As for the remaining 20 individuals, 19 have been permanently barred from working here as well, while investigations are still ongoing for one.
Paid For their Degrees
Technically, everyone pays for their degrees. But, you know, most of us take the necessary classes and tests to earn that degree.Â
While Dutt was initially enrolled in Hemwati Nandan Bhaguna University in 2010, he dropped out due to financial difficulties.
He was then told by an acquaintance, believed to be an MBU employee, that he could pay to get a degree.
He paid 3,000 rupees (around S$55) every six months to the acquaintance between 2011 and 2013, and was given a degree certificate in 2013, with academic transcripts for classes he didn’t take.
Similarly, Bijoy paid 40,000 rupees (around S$730) for a forged MBU degree certificate, showing he had attended classes at the institution between 2006 and 2008.
As an assistant warehouse manager, his salary ranged from S$2,600 to S$3,000.
36,000 Fake Degrees Sold by MBU
According to a Times of India report, MBU has sold over 36,000 fake degrees across 17 states in 11 years.
This means that of the 41,000 degrees issued, only 5,000 were found to be genuine.
The case is still under investigation.
MOM warned that firm action will be taken against false declarations as it’s an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
If convicted, offenders can be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to two years’, or both.
Read Also:
- MOM Investigating 15 Work Pass Holders After Private University in India Found to Give Fake Degrees
- Daniel Ong’s Sister & Former Director of Twelve Cupcakes Admitted She Allowed the Firm to Underpay Its Workers
Featured Image: kandl stock / Shutterstock.com
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