Man convicted of forging Purdue professors' signatures to change grades

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University student Mohamed Bouftas appeared to have a 3.85 grade point average until it was learned he was forging professors' signatures to change grades from F, D, C and B+ in A.

His true GPA is 1.68 and his legal status is that of a convicted felon of forgery.

Bouftas, 23, of West Lafayette, admitted to three forgery convictions in April and was sentenced Friday to four years. His sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation, according to the court.

Someone in Purdue's registrar's office noticed the grade change form that looked suspicious. Registrar staff asked the professor why she was using the paper form to change the grade rather than the online portal.

The professor said she did not change Bouftas' grade, leading registrar staff to investigate.

They discovered 30 rank change forms for Bouftas, according to prosecutors. According to prosecutors, twenty-seven of these grade change forms bore forged professor signatures.

The Bouftas forgeries began in the fall semester of 2021. They were discovered in the spring semester of 2023.

Prosecutors initially charged Bouftas in September with 12 counts, including six counts of forgery, five counts of fraud and one count of corrupt business influence.

The plea agreement required that all but three counts of forgery be dismissed.

Bouftas is not currently enrolled at Purdue University, Tim Doty, senior director of media and public relations, said in response to the J&C's investigation.

Contact Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue student forged professors' signatures to change grades.