HƯNG YÊN — Police in the northern province of Hưng Yên on Sunday said they have prosecuted and detained two foreign nationals accused of fabricating and selling diplomas and certificates purportedly issued by Vietnamese universities.

The provincial Investigation Security Agency had opened a criminal case and initiated legal proceedings against Sarkar Khayrul Hasan, 44, a Bangladeshi national, and Mohammed Hussen Ali, 37, an Indian national, for the offence "forging seals and documents of agencies and organisations."

According to preliminary investigation findings, the suspects allegedly exploited demand among people seeking jobs or looking to complete their personal and employment records.

The pair allegedly produced and sold fake documents bearing seals, logos and information designed to resemble genuine diplomas and certificates issued by universities in Việt Nam.

Investigators said Hasan knew Ali had the ability to produce various types of university diplomas and certificates and subsequently acted as an intermediary, accepting orders from people seeking forged documents.

Hasan allegedly dealt directly with customers, agreeing on the type of diploma or certificate, price and delivery arrangements.

He then asked customers to provide images of their identity cards and portrait photographs to obtain the information needed to produce the documents.

The authorities said the suspects' alleged operation was relatively sophisticated.

Further investigation is underway. — VNS