The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has uncovered a wide-ranging fraud scheme led by one of its own postgraduate students, Mr Frank Anderson, resulting in his immediate expulsion and ongoing legal proceedings. 

According to an official disclaimer issued by the university’s management, Mr Anderson, an MPhil student in the Department of Special Education, was implicated in multiple cases of admission fraud, certificate forgery, and falsification of academic records.

“Mr. Frank Anderson has been withdrawn from his current programme of study at UEW,” the statement read. The university further revealed that it is actively pursuing legal action against him for “extortion, falsifying university documents, and issuing fraudulent admission letters.”

The university’s investigation exposed Mr Anderson as the ringleader of a network that misled prospective students by falsely claiming he could alter academic grades, resolve incomplete grade (IC) issues, and facilitate what he called “Protocol Admissions” in exchange for payments ranging from GHS 1,000 to GHS 3,000. His criminal operations spanned multiple locations, including Suhum, Mangoase, Nsawam, and Winneba.

Though the syndicate never managed to breach UEW’s official grading system, known as OSIS 2, they created fake PDF versions of student results and forged WASSCE certificates to help clients fraudulently gain admission into the university.

In a decisive move, the university has revoked the admissions of all students found to have entered through these fraudulent means.

Additionally, students who paid to have their grades altered have also been withdrawn.

Mr Anderson is currently in jail facing trial at the Winneba High Court for similar offences. The university has distanced itself entirely from his activities, stressing, “He acted independently and without any authorisation from the university.”

Reaffirming its commitment to academic integrity, UEW stated: “The University of Education, Winneba upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and does not condone fraudulent activities.” It added, “UEW will relentlessly pursue and implement robust measures against fraudulent conduct.”

Management also assured the public of its continued collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure that all individuals involved face “the full consequences of the law.”