Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said his ministry will take stern action if any higher education institution is found to be involved with these syndicates.

“I would like to remind public and private varsities not to allow this kind of activity to continue because it will confuse the public and damage the image of the institution,” he said in a statement.

A newspaper had reported that syndicates selling fake academic certificates online were openly promoting their services on social media.

The certificates are reportedly being sold for RM1,500 to RM4,000, targeting those desperate for academic qualifications in order to secure jobs.

Zambry said there had been several cases of academic certificate fraud that were successfully uncovered through public complaints, involving fraud syndicates deceiving victims using the name of higher education institutions.