[michael_dorfman]

Short version: most branches of Buddhism don't have this kind of notion at all-- it is pretty unique to Tibetan Buddhism, where there are a relatively small number of tulku lineages, where a person can be recognized as an incarnation of the prior holder of the lineage. (The Dalai Lama is the most famous example-- the current Dalai Lama is the 14th in the series.) Incarnations are officially recognized by other tulkus, according to tradition; for example, the Dalai Lama is usually recognized by the Panchen Lama.

Without knowing the details in this case, I am assuming that the person in question falsely claimed to have been recognized as a tulku. I can't imagine that this was part of the job requirements.

So, an analog would be falsely claiming on your CV to have won a prestigious award (say, the Turing Award).

It's a pretty outrageous lie; but then again, so is claiming to have cancer.