The Warnings from NUS and NTU: A Zero-Tolerance Stance on Fraud

In a bold move to safeguard the integrity of their admissions processes, Singapore's premier universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), have issued stark warnings against the use of fake academic credentials. NUS has declared that any student, past or present, found to have gained admission through fraudulent means—such as submitting fabricated transcripts, recommendation letters, or other documents—will face immediate expulsion or revocation of their degree. NTU echoes this resolve, promising disciplinary action against offenders, including rejection of applications and invalidation of offers. These pronouncements, highlighted in recent advisories, come amid rising concerns over sophisticated scams targeting aspiring postgraduate students.

The timing is no coincidence. With NUS ranked 8th and NTU 12th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, their postgraduate programs attract intense global competition. Coursework-based master's applications at NTU alone surged around 30 percent annually since 2023, hitting approximately 48,000 in 2025. This boom has created fertile ground for fraudsters, prompting universities to act decisively to protect their merit-based systems.

Exposing the Scams: China-Based Agencies and Their Tactics

The catalysts for these warnings are unscrupulous study agencies operating primarily on Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). These entities promise "guaranteed" or "fast-track" admissions to NUS and NTU postgraduate programs, charging exorbitant fees starting from 300,000 yuan (about S$55,000). Agencies such as Zhongsheng International, established in 2017 and claiming over 1,000 clients yearly, and Flying Career offer fabricated academic records, forged professor recommendations, and assurances of navigating background checks.

Typically targeting applicants with subpar GPAs, poor high school results, or failed English tests like IELTS, these scams prey on desperation in a hyper-competitive landscape. The agencies insert fake documents into application packages to deceive admissions offices. NUS explicitly notes: "There are no ‘guaranteed’, ‘fast track’ or ‘direct’ admission routes to NUS." Both universities confirm they do not collaborate with any third-party agencies, underscoring that all admissions are purely merit-driven.

This issue mirrors global trends, such as the 2024 University of Hong Kong scandal where over 30 master's students forged qualifications for business school entry, leading to police reports. In Singapore, while fraudulent applications remain "very low" per NTU, the proactive stance aims to nip risks in the bud.

NUS's Robust Verification and Enforcement Mechanisms

NUS has long prioritized academic integrity, now amplifying efforts with advanced verification protocols. International applicants must present original documents—including passports, high school results, and degree certificates—upon arrival in Singapore for in-person checks. Failure to attend or provide verifiable originals results in expulsion. NUS conducts direct verifications with issuing institutions and is rolling out secure authentication software to detect forgeries more efficiently.

Official advisories on the NUS Graduate School website warn against deceptive agencies fabricating credentials. Post-enrollment discoveries trigger candidature termination or degree revocation, even years later. This multi-layered approach—pre-admission scrutiny, arrival verification, and ongoing audits—ensures only genuine achievements secure a place at NUS.

NTU's Disciplinary Framework and Credential Checks

NTU complements NUS's expulsion policy with a comprehensive disciplinary code addressing falsification, fabrication, and academic dishonesty. Overseas credentials require mandatory official verification reports from approved agencies, such as China Qualifications Verification (CQV) or the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Centre (CHESICC) for Chinese documents. Falsified submissions lead to outright rejection.

Enrolled students breaching conduct codes face penalties ranging from warnings to expulsion. NTU's online verification portal and partnerships with global verifiers fortify defenses. Like NUS, NTU emphasizes no agency partnerships, reinforcing applicant responsibility.

Understanding the Surge: Postgraduate Demand and Fraud Vulnerabilities

Singapore's universities draw international talent due to world-class facilities, English-medium instruction, and post-study work opportunities. NUS and NTU's postgraduate intakes, less regulated than undergraduates, fuel demand—NTU's 48,000 applications in 2025 exemplify this. Yet, this allure amplifies fraud risks, especially from regions with credential mills.

Technology aids scammers: AI-generated transcripts and deepfake recommendations blur lines. Singapore's context—meritocracy, high-stakes education—makes integrity paramount. Fraud erodes trust, potentially inflating quotas with unqualified admits and diluting graduate quality.

Real-World Cases: Lessons from Past Frauds in Singapore

While no recent NUS/NTU student expulsions are public, precedents abound. In 2023, a woman was jailed eight months for forging an NTU engineering bachelor's certificate, duping firms like Walt Disney from 2005-2021. Detection came via third-party verification.

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) routinely probes fake qualifications for work passes; from 2023, employers must verify foreign hires' credentials. Over five years, ~600 foreigners annually banned for fakes. These cases highlight spillover: fake degrees for jobs often trace to admissions fraud.

• 2021: MOM investigated 15 work pass holders with bogus university degrees.
• Ongoing: Diploma mills sell counterfeit NUS/NTU certs online.

Expert Perspectives: Safeguarding Singapore's Academic Reputation

Dr. Jason Tan from NIE urges workplace penalties alongside university actions, noting tech exacerbates longstanding fraud amid job competition. Assoc. Prof. Eugene Tan (SMU) highlights foreign student lucrativeness and calls for overseas collaborations. Both stress reputation risks to Singapore's education hub status.

Verification firms like RMI note rising diploma fraud, advising blockchain/digital certs. MOE-aligned policies emphasize holistic integrity.

Government and Employer Responses: A Multi-Stakeholder Crackdown

MOM mandates qualification checks for Employment Pass holders since 2023, with fines/jail for fakes (up to S$20,000/S$10,000 fines). Universities align via rigorous processes. Employers use tools like DataFlow for verifications. For more on compliance, see MOM's verification guidelines.

Holistic ecosystem: unis verify admits, MOM jobs, firms hires—deterring fraud chain-wide.

Practical Advice: How Students Can Protect Themselves

Prospective applicants should:

• Apply directly via official portals; ignore agency guarantees.
• Prepare genuine documents; use approved verifiers for overseas quals.
• Research: NUS/NTU merit-only; no fast-tracks.
• Report scams to platforms/police.
• Upon offer: attend verifications; bring originals.

Explore legitimate paths like scholarships via NTU scholarships.

Future Outlook: Tech Innovations and Global Partnerships

NUS/NTU invest in AI detection, blockchain certs. Collaborations with CQV/CHESICC enhance checks. Singapore's edtech push—SkillsFuture, digital wallets—bolsters transparency. As QS rankings soar, vigilance sustains excellence.

Stakeholders foresee reduced fraud via shared intel, deterring scams proactively.

Photo by VENUS MAJOR on Unsplash

Maintaining Singapore's Higher Education Excellence

NUS and NTU's crackdown reaffirms commitment to meritocracy, protecting students, grads, employers. In Singapore's knowledge economy, genuine credentials underpin success. Aspiring scholars: prioritize integrity for lasting achievements. This unified front positions Singapore universities as fraud-proof beacons globally.