A British-Pakistani private tutor has been sentenced to three years in prison after running a large-scale academic fraud operation that involved completing coursework and taking examinations on behalf of university students.
The scheme allegedly generated around:
💷 £300,000
through fraudulent academic services provided to students in the UK and abroad.
More Than 120 Students Involved
According to investigators, Shahid Adnan, 43, from Liverpool, carried out assignments and online assessments for more than:
👥 120 students
including students enrolled at:
🎓 Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).
Police believe Adnan may have provided fraudulent academic services to:
🌍 124 students at universities worldwide.
Fraud Exposed by Suspicious Coursework Submission
The scheme came to light in February 2023 when a student submitted a USB drive containing suspicious coursework to:
👤 Dr. Tom Berry
of LJMU’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics.
An internal investigation found that the USB drive contained documents linked to:
🏢 Study Sharp Ltd, a company associated with Adnan.
Investigators Found Student Logins and Coursework Records
Authorities discovered spreadsheets containing:
- Coursework deadlines
- Academic modules
- Student login credentials
- Assignment records
Investigations further revealed that Adnan had accessed university systems to:
✅ Submit assignments
✅ Sit online examinations
✅ Complete academic work on behalf of students
Tutor Admitted Taking Exams for Students
During police interviews, Adnan admitted to taking an examination for one student and receiving:
💷 £250
for the service.
He also acknowledged using the student’s login details to access university systems.
Millions Found in Bank Accounts
Investigators said Adnan appeared to be living well beyond the means expected from his declared occupations as:
- Private tutor
- Amazon delivery driver
Police discovered:
💰 More than £2.4 million across multiple accounts, including:
- Over £1.5 million in one Barclays account
- Additional funds held in Lloyds Bank and PayPal accounts
Authorities also uncovered:
🚗 Luxury Audi and BMW vehicles
🏠 High-end household furnishings
Convicted on Multiple Charges
Adnan pleaded guilty to:
- Fraud by false representation
- Unauthorized access to computer systems
- Money laundering
Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Madden said the defendant created complex financial arrangements to conceal the proceeds of his crimes while maintaining a lavish lifestyle.
Authorities Warn of Academic Fraud Risks
Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall praised university staff for uncovering the scheme and warned that academic fraud poses serious risks to educational integrity.
Officials said such practices undermine academic standards and can allow unqualified individuals to enter professional careers, potentially affecting public trust in higher education qualifications.
