Full Breakdown
Private Tutor Sentenced for £300,000 University Cheating Scam
6/22/2026, 9:13:35 AM
University Cheating Scheme Exposed
Merseyside Police arrested 43-year-old tutor Shahid Adnan after LJMU lecturer Dr Tom Berry flagged suspicious files on a student’s USB drive. The evidence linked Adnan to a network that completed coursework for over 120 students at UK universities. He pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and unauthorized computer access and received a three-year prison sentence.
Modus Operandi and Scope
Adnan operated Study Sharp Ltd, acquiring student login details and submitting assignments via university portals. One client paid over £14,000. The scheme spanned roughly ten universities and involved 124 distinct student accounts stored on his laptops.
Financial Footprint
A Barclays account held £1,505,156, two Lloyds accounts held £600,590 and £245,279, and a PayPal balance was £110,214. Police also seized cash and noted ownership of an Audi, a BMW and a furnished home. Early reports suggested up to £2 million, but the Crown Prosecution Service quantified the benefit at £300,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Det Sgt Adam Dagnall called the case the “rarest” he had seen and praised the diligence of Dr Tom Berry and his colleagues. An LJMU spokesperson reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic integrity. Recorder Andrew Vinson, who sentenced Adnan, said the conduct “fraudulently monetised” university assessment systems without regard for academic standards.
Criticism & Societal Risks
Dagnall warned that unchecked cheating could let individuals earn qualifications without required skills, posing clear societal risks, and said the sentence should deter large-scale fraud.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source cited £2 million in proceeds, while the prosecution’s agreed figure is £300,000. The number of universities is described only as “approximately ten,” and the exact student count beyond the identified 120 remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Det Sgt Adam Dagnall, Merseyside Police
- “Our enquiries confirmed that Adnan was able to log into student accounts and complete assessments for them with evidence of payments to him from students,” — Det Sgt Adam Dagnall, Merseyside Police
- “We expect all students to conduct themselves appropriately and in accordance with the ethical values of an academic community.” — LJMU spokesperson
- “Effectively, what you did was to fraudulently monetise, for your own benefit, the exam and coursework systems at a number of universities without any regard to how that cheating cheapens such matters for others,” — Recorder Andrew Vinson, Liverpool Crown Court
What’s Next
Police will commence proceedings to recover Adnan’s assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
