Raveena Tandon Promotes Fraudulent Honorary Doctorates in Facebook Ads
• Sprouts SIT Exposes Bollywood-Endorsed Fake PhD Scam
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
The Sprouts Special
Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered a shocking scam involving the mass sale of fake honorary doctorates, where Bollywood celebrities are being used to lend credibility to fraudulent PhD programs. In a recent Facebook advertisement campaign, actress Raveena Tandon was seen promoting a so-called “doctorate” offered by the Honorary Doctorate Award Council—an entity that is not a recognized university and has no legal right to award doctoral degrees.
This blatant misuse of celebrity influence has raised serious ethical concerns. The Sprouts Special Investigation Team has discovered that such organizations operate in a manner akin to street vendors—offering degrees as if they were selling vegetables, with loud promotional tactics designed to deceive the public. The core issue remains: what is the value of a degree that requires no academic contribution from the recipient?
• Mass Sale of Honorary Degrees: A Money-Minting Scam
The Sprouts Special Investigation Team has gathered evidence showing that unqualified individuals are purchasing these fraudulent degrees, believing they have achieved something significant. The reality, however, is far from this illusion. These so-called “doctorates” hold no academic weight and are merely pieces of paper sold for profit.
Furthermore, Bollywood personalities endorsing such scams—whether knowingly or unknowingly—are enabling this deception. From advertising pan masala to now lending their faces for fake doctorate promotions, such unethical behavior only puts society at risk. Is Raveena Tandon even aware of the fraud she is supporting? Or is it just another paycheck for her?
• World Education and Peace Council (WEAPC) Caught in the Act
The Sprouts Special Investigation Team has also exposed another fraudulent entity—the World Education and Peace Council (WEAPC)—which recently organized a fake doctorate distribution event at the prestigious Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The event was staged to create an illusion of legitimacy, misleading attendees into believing these degrees were official.
In their promotional materials, WEAPC falsely claimed to have the support of esteemed judges, a move intended to attract more buyers. However, these claims are entirely false, and the organization has no legal authority to issue PhD degrees.
• Sprouts Exposes the Fake PhD Scam
In recent times, fraudulent organizations distributing fake doctorates have started claiming that they are offering “Honorary Doctorate Awards.” This is yet another deceptive tactic used to mislead the public. Adding the word “award” to honorary doctorates creates a false impression of legitimacy, making the scam even more convincing. However, such practices are nothing more than blatant fraud.
• Madhu Krishan: A Repeat Offender in the Fake Degree Industry
One of the key figures in this massive scam is Madhu Krishan, a notorious fraudster who has been distributing fake doctorates to hundreds of individuals. His bogus universities operate only on websites any legitimate academic framework, yet he continues to deceive people with misleading claims of academic honor.
Shockingly, high-profile individuals such as motivational speaker Vivek Bindra and Sudarshan channel chief Suresh Chavhanke have received fake PhDs from Madhu Krishan’s fraudulent institutions. These cases highlight the scale of the scam and the urgent need for stricter action against such fraudulent organizations.
Also Read: AI-Powered Crypto Scam Defrauds Kerala Investors of ₹3,000 Crore.
• Call to Action: Report Fake Doctorate Scams
The Sprouts Special Investigation Team urges readers to be cautious and not fall victim to these fraudulent schemes. If you have any information regarding fake PhDs or fraudulent honorary doctorates, please contact the police or Sprouts Team at 9322755098.
This is a serious scam that not only devalues genuine academic achievements but also misleads the public. Sprouts News remains committed to exposing such frauds and ensuring accountability. Stay alert, spread awareness, and help put an end to the sale of fake doctorates!
• ‘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:
Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, 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 ), Harshad Madhukar Sangle (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
► Adi Shankar Vedic University, Netherlands
► 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
► 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