Former Student Arrested for Falso Transcript, Diploma

By Broadside Reporter Adam Sylvain.

Former George Mason University student Daisong Tan was arrested for “falsifying transcript/diploma,” according to Virginia court case records. According to University Police, Tan presented a falsified diploma to an employee at the registrar’s office in hopes of verifying graduate status to a third party.

Police responded to a September 30 complaint, when the individual at the registrar’s office became suspicious of the diploma Tan presented and contacted police.

“On the face of the document, counterfeits can seem very credible. If you don’t have an original sitting side-by-side with it, they often can be passed off quite easily. However, the degree of scrutiny is going up,” said University Counsel Thomas M. Moncure, Jr.

This was the first case of fraudulent behavior reported by the university this year. According to Assistant Chief of Police George Ginovsky, an investigation by University Police followed the complaint, determining that Tan had found an example of the university diploma online and had manipulated the information so that it appeared he possessed an authentic diploma. Ginovsky was hesitant to release the specifics on how the document was altered, as such information could lead to similar attempts in the future.

On Oct. 3, Officer Jorge Feliciano arrested Tan on violations outlined in Code of Virginia 18.2-172.1, which states, “Any person who materially falsifies or alters a transcript or diploma from an institution of postsecondary education and fraudulently uses the same for pecuniary gain or in furtherance of such person’s education shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.”

The violation sanctions a fine of up to $500; however, the ramifications of criminal fraud can often haunt a person’s professional life.

Moncure continues to caution, “In an increasingly competitive job market, in which pools of applicants are narrowed, fraud and theft are red flags that most professional employers will not consider. [The university has] been dealing with pending cases where employers seek to have transcripts or diplomas verified. Employers are becoming warier of these documents and are increasingly double-checking their validity.”

Aside from verifying these documents, employee background checks are also becoming more strictly enforced, especially for jobs in which a prerequisite degree may not be required.

Employers are wary that these measures are being used to distinguish individuals from other potential employees.

Aware of the extensive supply of illegally shared documents, Moncure believes the issue will be approached from the civil side as well, making sure these individuals respect the trademarked documents issued by the university.

“While it is unlikely counterfeit can be stopped completely, it can certainly be limited by attacking it from both the civil and criminal side of the law,” said Moncure.

“There have been no other cases reported within the university, but I do suspect more cases have occurred, keeping in mind that any incidences occurring outside our jurisdiction are cases handled by Fairfax County Police Department,” said Ginovsky.

Tan will enter his plea at Fairfax Country District Court on Nov. 19.