Generally, it's illegal to:
* Use a fake diploma to obtain employment: This is often considered fraud, which carries serious legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Employers rely on the validity of credentials, and knowingly misrepresenting your qualifications is a breach of trust.
* Use a fake diploma to gain admission to an educational institution: Similar to employment, this is a form of fraud, as you're misrepresenting your prior qualifications to gain access to the program.
* Use a fake diploma to obtain a professional license: Many professions require specific educational qualifications for licensure. Presenting a fake diploma to obtain a license is a serious offense.
* Use a fake diploma on official documents or applications: Submitting a fake diploma to government agencies or other official bodies is a form of document forgery, which is illegal.
It might *not* be illegal to:
* Possess a fake diploma without using it for fraudulent purposes: Simply owning a fake diploma, without attempting to use it to deceive anyone, is unlikely to be a crime in most jurisdictions. However, this is a gray area, and it could become illegal if the diploma is used to support a fraudulent claim.
In short: The act of creating or possessing a fake diploma may not be illegal in itself, but using it to gain an unfair advantage or deceive others is a serious crime. The specific charges and penalties vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances.