Lucknow, India – Police in Lucknow have arrested two men for allegedly operating a fake admission consultancy, defrauding students and parents of over Rs 1.89 crore . The accused impersonated a well-known medical institute, promising admissions to MBBS and other professional courses.
Arrests and Initial Complaints
The arrested individuals are Abhinav Sharma , 35, and Santosh Kumar , 34. Police apprehended them near Kathauta Lake in Lucknow on Monday. The scam came to light after multiple victims filed complaints, detailing significant financial losses.
DCP (Crime) Kamlesh Kumar Dixit confirmed the arrests. He stated the accused collected money under the guise of securing admissions at Hind Institute of Medical Sciences . Courses falsely offered included MBBS, engineering, and various other programs.
Multi-Crore Fraud Uncovered
A primary complaint was filed by Vijay Bahadur on November 1 . Bahadur reported that Sharma, Kumar, and their associates had taken Rs 45 lakh from him directly. The same group also defrauded others linked to Bahadur’s complaint:
- Rajesh Verma: Rs 20 lakh
- Deep Singh: Rs 38 lakh
- Preeti Singh: Rs 23 lakh
These complaints alone total Rs 1.26 crore . Additionally, police received separate fraud reports from two other victims, involving amounts of Rs 18 lakh and Rs 45 lakh respectively. The reported fraud from these initial complaints exceeds Rs 1.89 crore .
Deceptive Operations
The accused developed an elaborate scheme to deceive their targets. They impersonated a legitimate medical institution. Their methods included:
- Fake Accounts: Opening multiple bank accounts using the medical institute’s name.
- Digital Impersonation: Creating counterfeit websites and Instagram pages to appear credible.
- Physical Presence: Operating from rented offices to give an impression of legitimacy.
Sharma and Kumar specifically targeted students who had qualified the NEET examination but held lower ranks. They purchased student data online to identify potential victims. Families were then lured with promises of securing coveted management-quota seats in reputable medical colleges. These colleges were reportedly located in areas like Barabanki and Sitapur.
During police interrogation, one of the arrested individuals confessed to contacting parents through call centres. They would then invite parents to their office locations. Money was collected through various methods, including demand drafts, online transfers, and cash payments.
Police Investigation and Seizures
A specialized police team, formed under the cyber crime unit, led the investigation and subsequent arrests. During searches, authorities recovered substantial evidence and assets:
Seized Items:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cash | Rs 4.9 lakh |
| Mobile Phones | 3 |
| CPUs | 6 |
| Monitors | 6 |
| Wi-Fi Router | 1 |
| Dongle | 1 |
| Seals | Various |
| Cheque Book | 1 |
| PAN Cards | Multiple |
| Aadhaar Cards | Multiple |
Police confirmed that the accused had established numerous bank accounts under the medical institute’s identity to facilitate the large-scale fraud. The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are currently verifying additional complaints that have emerged from other districts, suggesting a potentially wider network of victims.