Full Breakdown
Liverpool Tutor Sentenced for Multi-Million-Pound Cheating Scheme
6/17/2026, 9:17:04 PM
Fraud Operation and Conviction
Shahid Adnan, a 43-year-old tutor from Liverpool, operated Study Sharp Ltd, a contract-cheating service. Between 2021 and early 2023 he completed coursework and examinations for over 120 students at Liverpool John Moores University, using their login credentials to submit work. Payments ranged from £250 per exam to £14,000 for full assignments. A forensic review of a USB drive in February 2023 linked the material to his company, leading Merseyside Police to arrest him. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, unauthorized computer access and conversion of criminal property and was sentenced to three years’ custody by Recorder Andrew Vinson.
Legal Context and Detection
Contract cheating became a criminal offence in the United Kingdom in 2022. At LJMU’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Dr Tom Berry scans submissions. His review of the USB drive uncovered Excel spreadsheets listing student details, module deadlines and login credentials, confirming systematic fraud.
Scale of the Scheme
Prosecutors identified 124 students, while the BBC noted “more than 120.” Earnings were estimated at over £2.4 million held in several bank and PayPal accounts. The figure used for sentencing was £300,000, with proceeds-of-crime recovery to follow.
Official Responses
Recorder Andrew Vinson called the conduct “prolonged and sophisticated” and emphasized deterrence to preserve confidence in higher education. Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Madden pointed to the elaborate audit trails and defendant’s lavish lifestyle as evidence of intent to conceal illicit gains. Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall warned that unchecked cheating could let unqualified individuals enter the workforce, posing risks.
Criticism of Academic Integrity
Law enforcement and university officials warned that contract cheating undermines the credibility of qualifications and erodes trust in the education system, highlighting the societal impact of fraudulent academic credentials.
Conflicting Figures
Sources differ on proceeds: police seized accounts totalling more than £2.4 million, while the Crown Prosecution Service cited £300,000 as the sentencing figure. The number of victims varies between 120 and 124, reflecting ongoing investigative refinement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Afterwards Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall, of Merseyside Police, said: 'Cheating at academic institutions is a serious matter, which if left unchallenged can result in students gaining qualifications and moving into careers without having the necessary skills and abilities.” — Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall, Merseyside Police
- “‘I am committed to inspiring students to excel and to advancing the academic community through innovative teaching methods and research collaboration,’ he adds.” — Shahid Adnan, LinkedIn profile
- “' Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Madden said Adnan 'created complex audit trails with his bank accounts to try and avoid detection and lived a lavish lifestyle to use up the money he made and avoid having to pay it back'.” — Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Madden
Next Steps
Proceedings to recover the proceeds of crime are pending, and university authorities are reviewing security protocols to prevent similar schemes.
