Over the past five years, 19 cases relating to the recognition of qualifications have been referred to prosecutors. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Over the past five years, 19 cases relating to the recognition of qualifications have been referred to prosecutors.  (Photo: Shutterstock)

Over the past five years, 19 cases relating to the recognition of qualifications have been referred to the courts. A further 35 cases concern applications for student financial support since 2025.

19 suspicious cases have been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office over the past five years. In 11 cases, the reports came from the Ministry of Research and Higher Education. The other eight were identified by the Ministry of Education.

These figures are set out in the reply sent on Monday 1 September to the MP Stéphanie WeydertStéphanie Weydert (CSV) by the Minister for Research Stéphanie ObertinStéphanie Obertin (DP) and the Minister of Education Claude MeischClaude Meisch (DP). These do not necessarily correspond to the same number of fake qualifications: the report is based on indications of forgery, and it is then up to the courts to decide.

Three levels of control

Financial aid for higher education has been particularly affected. Between 2025 and mid-July 2026, 35 cases were referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office because students were suspected of having submitted forged documents. Where a qualification appears to be suspect, the authorities may contact the institution that issued it, get in touch with the relevant foreign authorities, or request the original document from the applicant. Each case undergoes three levels of scrutiny.

No formal audit is planned at the Ministry of Research. However, the Ministry is working with the CTIE to develop a tool that will enable the comparison of qualifications from the same countries or institutions, in order to identify anomalies more easily.