Aditya Rai, 43, has been sentenced after using forged documents to land jobs at law firms and other companies. Rai submitted a fake university degree and passport, alongside a counterfeit UK driving licence under the alias Ali Ryan, to deceive employers and establish bank accounts.
Rai, from Brockworth, fabricated his academic credentials and constructed a false CV to secure employment at three firms: two law practices in Gloucestershire and a Bristol construction company where he worked as a legal assistant. Despite lacking qualifications, he received approximately £10,000 for short-term roles as a paralegal or legal assistant.
An investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Economic Crime Team revealed Rai’s extensive fraud. He faced charges including fraud by false representation, possession of false identity documents, and using forged instruments such as CVs and certificates. He also admitted to additional forgery offences uncovered by North Wales Police involving a counterfeit Irish driving licence.
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During court proceedings, it emerged Rai concealed previous convictions by using a false identity and resigned or was dismissed from some roles after failing reference checks. Police seized his laptop during a 2022 search, uncovering the forged documents and a driving licence in the name Ali Ryan.
Rai had been held in custody since February 2025 after being arrested at a port with a fake Irish driving licence and for failing to appear in court related to fraud charges. Judge Ian Lawrie KC acknowledged Rai’s persistent and elaborate dishonesty, describing the offences as a “busy” and calculated effort to deceive.
In mitigation, Rai’s defence pointed to the financial hardships during the Covid-19 lockdown that may have driven him to commit these crimes. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Lawrie emphasized the impact of Rai’s actions on his family, condemning the dishonesty and the harm caused to employers who unknowingly hired an unqualified individual. He noted Rai’s potential for rehabilitation despite his deceptive conduct.
The Economic Crime Team highlighted the complexity of Rai’s fraud, which targeted government bodies, academic institutions, private firms, and individuals over many years. Their spokesperson praised the extensive police work and collaboration required to uncover the full scope of Rai’s offences and bring him to justice.