To ask for help with possible qualification fraud?

[Shambu]

I've discovered a relation of a close family member is promoting himself to his clients as having an Hons degree he does not have.

I've known him for 20 years, and his qualification was a much lower status one which he didn't finish.

It is featured on his email on all communication with clients.

How would I find out? I contacted the institution to find out if they offered that course at the time, but I cannot make a request for specific information without his being informed.

OP I can't tell if your main aim is to get him to remove the email signature bit because that might draw attention to the lie and he would be found out, which you... don't want? or do you? or is it to protect his clients, although removal of the signature thing won't affect his job role or anything.

It's also confusing because you said "his qualification was a much lower status one which he didn't finish."
By "qualification" in that sentence did you mean "course"? You don't "finish" a qualification. The qualification is awarded at the end of a course (or at some mid point, e.g. for a lower qualification than originally aimed for). Sorry to sound pedantic but I can't tell from your sentence whether he achieved any qualification at all or not.

Alternatively, just as a thought: OP could address the core problem!

She could talk to her sister. Encourage her to grow a spine and not be such a doormat.

I’d act, because I’m moral

... but that isn’t the OP’s drivers...

If the person is an accountant for example, the degree is completely irrelevant. All that matters is that he is qualified, and that doesn’t come from a degree.

“yourself 'chartered' (ACA) or 'certified' (ACCA). ”

ACCA is both.

Make sure you're not logged into your LinkedIn when you look at his, or it'll tell him you've looked.

I don't think you need to convince your sister that her husband is a liar. She seems to already know. She will be aware of the consequences of that. She has chosen not to take action. You would be better off spending your time talking to her and working out why that is.

It could be that she believes that she is not in any way accountable if she doesn't look into this; but she may feel she becomes an accessory if she knows for sure what he's doing is fraudulent and illegal and allows it to continue. Whether that's true or not will depend on the details.

It could be that she loves him and doesn't want to split; it could be that she doesn't feel ready to split, she could already have her long-term plan and be waiting it out.

I'm not saying you should do nothing; just bear in mind that it would be a useful way to alienate you if he can claim you're trying to "ruin their family", and you can't close Pandora's Box once it's open.

@Shambu what did you do in the end?