Liverpool Tutor Jailed for £300,000 Academic Fraud

A private tutor based in Liverpool has been incarcerated for three years after amassing over £300,000 through a sophisticated academic fraud scheme. Shahid Adnan, 43, operated a company named Study Sharp Ltd., where he illicitly accessed university accounts using student passcodes. He then completed coursework and sat online exams on behalf of students in exchange for payment.

The operation came to light in February 2023 when a Liverpool John Moores University student submitted coursework on a USB drive that still contained Adnan's files. Forensic analysis of the drive exposed spreadsheets with student data, including login credentials and financial information, leading Merseyside Police to his address.

Investigators discovered evidence suggesting Adnan may have worked for 124 students globally. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including fraud and unauthorized computer access. Police found significant wealth across his accounts, with over £2.4 million discovered in total, from which his illegal earnings were calculated to be at least £300,000.

Authorities are now pursuing asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This case highlights the serious implications of academic dishonesty and the digital trails left behind, underscoring the risks students face when sharing university login details.