India, Feb. 25 -- Late last November, a strange invention appeared in the UK government's design registry: an "Artificial Intelligence Powered Skin Cancer Inspection Device." The accompanying illustration was striking-a 3D rendering of a Glock pistol, modified with a small screen and USB ports. Within days, this implausible medical "breakthrough" was officially registered, listing several Indian academics as its inventors.

This wasn't a mistake: It was just one example among thousands in an elaborate scheme uncovered by researchers and published this February in the International Journal for Educational Integrity. A network of companies has been selling spots on UK design registrations to academics who need patents for career advancement...