Need some advice here

Have referred a friend of mine for a role in my company. The min YoE required for the role is 5 yrs but my friend is only having slightly over 3 yrs of working experience. Although his experience in the required technology is almost 5 yrs (was doing some side projects, freelancing and all). I’m sure that he’ll be able to crack the interview but the thing is that when the HR called him last time and asked abt his experience he said 3yrs and she disconnected the call saying that they’re looking for a candidate with 5+yrs of experience.

I have referred him again and this time I told him to say that he’s having 5yrs of experience.

So is it fine for him to lie on the resume that he’s having 5+yrs of experience in the technology or does these MNC's do a thorough background check?