The Control and Investigation Board in Qassim has referred an Arab with a doctoral degree to the Court of Grievances after he was caught falsifying certificates for local and foreign universities and scientific training centers.

Col. Fahd Al-Habdan, spokesman for Qassim police, said the man was charged with counterfeiting official documents and scientific certificates by using the formal seal of government agencies and scientific centers.

Al-Habdan said that during investigations, the board contacted academic bodies, which denied issuing the documents. “Once all the elements of investigation were completed, the case was referred to the Court of Grievances for further action,” added the spokesman.

The Investigation and Criminal Department spotted an integrated laboratory for forgery equipped with tools to falsify certificates. During a raid, police found 32 fake seals and 16,870 fake certificates. A sum of SR50,000 was also found.

The accused has an Arab nationality, holds a Ph.D. in physics and works at a private college in Qassim.

His daughter, who was present during the raid, said that one certificate was sold for between SR700 and SR50,000.

On being tipped off about the man's activities, police sent a decoy buyer to his house. He was arrested while selling a certificate.