Facing My Past: Will My Fake Degree Lead to Criminal Charges and Block My Provident Fund?

Background and Current Situation

During the final year of my graduation, my father passed away, and due to his huge debts, I couldn't continue my college education. I dropped out but couldn't find any job over a period of a year. I provided a fake education certificate and joined an IT MNC as a fresher in Bangalore.

Ten years down the line, I received an outstanding rating for five consecutive years, the most valuable employee award at least once in every role, and worked relentlessly for myself and the organization. The company even awarded me restricted stock options due to my continued good work. Now, I have moved to a new account, and the client has asked for a background verification to be done for all employees, including those working offshore. I gave my consent for background verification even though I had another way out by resigning. This is because the guilt of doing wrong has been eating at me all along, and I want to come clean. I am not proud of myself for doing this, nor am I boasting about the above achievements; this is primarily just to show how much I contributed to the company's growth.

Facing the Consequences and Future Plans

I am ready to face the consequences and am fine with the company firing me for this reason. I am looking for options like freelancing, where skills matter more than a degree. My primary concern is whether they will start any criminal proceedings for this and block my Provident Fund. That money is a substantial amount for me now and will help me until I establish a foundation in freelancing. Please advise on how I should approach HR.

Note: Even if this background check comes clean, I am still planning to quit because this guilt has been too much for me. In a scenario where the background verification comes back negative, I need suggestions on how to approach HR.

Regards,
[Username]

Facing the Consequences of Past Actions

Chickens come home to roost. This is what has happened with you. You have been carrying the weight of guilt from your shadowy activities for more than a decade. The fear of exposure has always haunted you. However, you could have been wiser and requested a change of department where background checks are not conducted. You could have considered moving to semi-technical or non-technical departments.

Your main concern is what to do if the background verification comes back negative. In such a case, HR may ask you to resign. This is a preferable option to being terminated. In any case, you have prepared for the worst. Therefore, if the background check results are unfavorable, appeal to HR not to terminate you. That seems to be the only viable option from my perspective.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

First of all, your guilt for misrepresenting your credentials is not allowing you to think straight. Keep it aside and let the verification result come. After that, you can make a decision based on the outcome. If the verification turns out positive, then please don't make a hasty decision to leave the company and start freelancing. This may not be the right choice as the market is very competitive.

Also, over the last 10 years, instead of carrying the guilt, you could have pursued a few courses through a distance education program. You had ample time, which you did not utilize. Better late than never, you can still try completing a few courses now. Secondly, considering your contribution to the company's success, they may not take legal action (many companies don't). Also, your Provident Fund share cannot be legally blocked by them.

Thank you.

What is done is done. You know it, and they will know it shortly. However, the fault is also theirs as they failed to conduct a proper background check when they hired you!

When the time comes, you should come clean with them and highlight the situation back then that led you to tell that lie. However, also point out the fact that you have worked extremely hard all these years to not fail them. This is evident from the awards they have given you for appreciation and the numbers at the end of the year that justify your contributions.

I don't believe it's in their best interest to cause significant "damage" to you, as that lie has worked well for the company. It is most likely that you will be asked to resign.

I hope everything turns out well for your peace of mind, as you have carried this burden for too long. Anyway, you will be free!

Regards

From the facts stated, there was no mischief involved, but only a mistake. You have not even tried to deceive anyone. It is not that, in the larger world, educational qualification alone matters. Capability matters equally. Every prudent management recognizes this aspect. Your straightforwardness and sincerity, I am sure, will take care of your future.

It's said that if you speak a lie that benefits others for their betterment, it's not truly a lie. Therefore, you need not feel guilty for hiding facts or misrepresenting your education to help pay off your father's debts and support your family. This action has done more good than harm. If you are asked for an explanation, you can speak to your immediate superior. Otherwise, remain quiet and consider pursuing a crash course, degree, or diploma through correspondence, as others have advised. Release yourself from guilt, stay positive, and confront the consequences without fear of the unknown.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

Dear Team,

My third brother is working in an MNC company with fake Diploma in Engineering certificates. He has changed multiple companies using the same fake certificates, and no one has detected their invalidity. He has been engaging in this deceit for the past 15 years. Recently, he has become more audacious, utilizing fake B.Tech Engineering certificates to secure a better position in another company. Surprisingly, he managed to pass the background verification conducted by a third party.

In the past, he was disqualified from Intermediate for trying to forge the principal's signature on an exam hall ticket. To my dismay, I discovered that my second brother's Diploma in Engineering certificates and my third brother's certificates are identical, except for the name and year changes. I have gathered substantial evidence to support my claims. After submitting my third brother's Diploma in Engineering certificates to the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTE&T), I received confirmation that the certificates were indeed counterfeit.

My third brother possesses around four Diploma in Engineering certificates from various colleges, all under his name. When I confronted him about his actions, both my brothers threatened me, indicating that if they were exposed, they would tarnish my reputation and jeopardize my career and family.

I seek your advice on how to proceed with handling my two brothers in this delicate situation. Your guidance on the best course of action would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.