Shocking Revelation by Sprouts Exclusive
By Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Exclusive
In a shocking development, a notorious fraudster known for selling bogus PhD degrees has managed to distribute fake awards to Mumbai Police officers, even visiting their cabins to present these counterfeit honors. The fraudster’s actions have gained further attention after the Mumbai Police’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shared screenshots of these fake awards, contributing to public confusion as the fraudster resumed selling bogus PhDs, according to an investigation by Sprouts’ Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The fraudster, identified as Kalyan (ji) Jana, is infamous for his involvement in selling fake PhDs. He has even registered a fake voluntary organization under the name of film icon Dadasaheb Phalke with the Charity Commissioner, further misleading the public. This individual has been selling these fake PhDs to people from all walks of life, including those with no connection to the film industry, such as tea vendors.
The Indian government has established the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in honor of Phalke’s memory, but the fraudster organizes events two or three times a month, selling fake awards for as much as ₹2,000. He has even targeted high-ranking police officials in Mumbai, including Assistant Commissioners, Senior Police Inspectors, and Constables, presenting them with shawls and fake awards. The fraudster then shares photos of these encounters on social media, which have gone viral.
In a further attempt to mislead the public, Kalyanji Jana manipulated Mumbai Police’s official X account to post about the fake awards. A tweet regarding the fraudulent activities was published on November 29, 2022, at 8:50 AM. Nearly two years later, the fraudster is still sharing screenshots and links to this tweet to deceive citizens.
This is not the first time Kalyan Jana has distributed these fake awards. Previously, he had visited police offices in Mumbai, distributing trophies in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke. Although the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is intended for individuals in the film industry, Kalyan Jana has made efforts to legitimize his fake awards by targeting police officers and public representatives, sharing their photos on social media to further his fraudulent activities and demanding money from unsuspecting citizens.
Sprouts’ Special Investigation Team has gathered information that fraudsters like Kalyan Jana are using these fake awards to also sell bogus PhD degrees. In Maharashtra, at least 15-16 voluntary organizations are reportedly selling these fake awards in Dadasaheb Phalke’s name. Some, like Yogesh Lakhani, the owner of ‘Bright Outdoor Media Pvt. Ltd.’s company, have even bought multiple fake PhDs. Sprouts has called for a thorough investigation into these activities and urged Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar to take immediate action.
Sprouts’ Appeal to Mumbai Police Commissioner:
The selling of fake awards and bogus PhDs is a crime, and Sprouts has requested immediate action against fraudster Kalyan Jana, including the deletion of the tweet related to the fake awards and a comprehensive investigation into these fraudulent activities.
‘Sprouts’ appeals to the public to beware of this racket- unless fake image-building is your thing.
Roster of Fraudsters
Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed:
Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain, Vivek Choudhari- ESRDS, Siddic A Muhammed (Dubai), Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Tapan Kumar Rautaray, Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Madhu Krishan, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, Peeyush Pandit, Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande (Nashik-Saputara-Gujarat), Lal Bahadur Rana (Nepal), Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh, Nareshchandra Kathole- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy, Amravati, Kishor Baliram Patil- (Bhivandi- reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole- reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati ), Kavita Bajaj and Mansukh Damji Tank – (Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah- BJP, Anajni Kumar- Delhi, Anwar Shaikh (Pune )
List of fake universities awarding bogus PhD degrees
► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► The George Washington University of Peace, United States of America
► American East Coast University
► Socrates Social Research University
► World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHPRC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maryland State University
► The University of Macaria
► Theophany University
► The Open International University of Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
► University of America Hawaii and Inox International University
► World Mystic Science Institute (OPC) Private Limited
► University of South America
► Southwestern American University
► The American University, USA
► Zoroastrian University
► Vinayaka Missions Singhania
► American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC)
► Peace University
► Global Human Rights Trust (GHRT)
► Trinity World University, UK
► St Mother Teresa University
► American University of Global Peace
► Jeeva Theological Open University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► Global Human Peace University
► Bharat Virtual University for Peace and Education
► National Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► International Open University of Humanity Health, Science and Peace, USA
► Harshal University
► International Internship University
► British National University of Queen Mary
► Jordan River University
► Boston Imperial University
► Dayspring Christian University
► South Western American University
► Global Triumph Virtual University
► Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth
► Jnana Deepa University (Pune)
► Oxfaa University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maa Bhuvaneshwari International University
► The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies (IEMS)
► Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon
► Central Christian University
► Azteca University
► University of Swahili
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith, Amravati
► International Human Rights Ambassador International Peace Corps Association
► Indo Global University, Hyderabad
► Mount Elbert Central University
► McSTEM Eduversity, USA
► Social Awareness and Peace University
► Indian School of Management and Studies
► Socrates Social Research University
► International Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► Commonwealth of Dominica
► International Anti-corruption and Human Rights Council
► Bharat Virtual University
► Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
► The George Washington University of Peace
► Asia Vedic Culture Research University
► Magic Book of Record
► European Digital University (EDU)
► Hessen International University
► Chicago Open University
► Langbustech university
► Nilm University
► Global Conclave Virtual University
► Global Cocord Virtual University
► Cambridge Digital of University
► America Internation University (AIU)
List of NGOs giving fake awards and degrees
► Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation
► Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation
► World Human Protection Commission
► Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Foundation
► Empower Social and Education Trust
► Nelson Mandela Nobel Award Academy
► Diplomatic Mission Global Peace
