Deputy dean arrested over alleged fake university graduation certificates

A deputy dean at Trưng Vương University has been arrested in Tuyên Quang over an alleged scheme involving university enrollment without entrance exams and fake graduation certificates.

The province’s security investigation agency charged Nguyễn Văn Năm with abuse of power in the performance of official duties and ordered his detention. Investigators say he was involved in bringing seven people into university without entrance examinations before fake certificates were issued.

Năm, 43, served as deputy dean of the university’s Institute of Technology and Training Cooperation. Investigators say that from August 2018 to June 2022, he deliberately exceeded his authority and enabled Phạm Quốc Dương to manage part-time economic law classes in the former Hà Giang province.

Authorities had previously charged and detained Dương in April on allegations of fraud, appropriation of property and forging documents issued by organizations. Investigators say that between December 2020 and March 2025, he managed two work-study economic law classes. He allegedly used false information to collect entrance fees and tuition from students, taking nearly 3 billion dong for personal use rather than transferring it all to Trưng Vương University.

In February 2025, investigators say, Dương forged temporary graduation certificates to give students who had paid him. The case remains under investigation as Tuyên Quang police examine its full scope.