Begusarai Police Crack Down on Exam Paper Leak Syndicate
In a significant breakthrough, Begusarai police have arrested a key member of a criminal gang allegedly involved in defrauding students by promising to leak Intermediate examination question papers. The operation targeted a sophisticated scam run through social media platforms, where portions of question papers were shared to lure victims.
Arrest and Confession of Main Accused
The primary suspect, identified as Santosh Kumar, a resident of Mauji Thansingh village under the Bakhri police station area, was apprehended by a specialized police team three days ago. During interrogation, Kumar reportedly confessed to his involvement in the illicit activities. Police recovered crucial evidence from his mobile phone, including answer keys related to the Intermediate chemistry examination, which was held on February 7, 2026.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to police investigations, the gang operated in an organized manner using a Telegram channel titled “Bihar Board Out Question” and a WhatsApp group named “Achuk Wan 01.” These platforms were allegedly used to target students, parents, and coaching centers with false promises of providing question papers before examinations. The group settings were configured to allow only administrators to post messages, effectively silencing any doubts or questions from members.
The gang circulated some answers related to the question papers to build credibility and trap students, said Begusarai SP Maneesh. An FIR was registered by the Bakhri block education officer (BEO) based on initial information, leading to Kumar's arrest.
Evidence of Paper Leak and Financial Demands
When the recovered content from Kumar's phone was matched with the original question paper, it was found to be identical, raising serious concerns about a potential leak and misuse of confidential examination material. Police sources revealed that Santosh Kumar allegedly demanded Rs 40,000 in exchange for the complete matric examination paper for 2026. Messages in the group warned members against bargaining and threatened to block or remove anyone questioning the price. Additionally, buyers were required to purchase papers for all subjects, not just one, indicating a systematic extortion scheme.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Actions
Begusarai police are intensifying their efforts to dismantle the entire syndicate. Cyber teams are currently examining call detail records, bank transactions, and other digital evidence to identify the administrators of the Telegram and WhatsApp groups. Under the supervision of Bakhri DSP Kundan Kumar, raids are underway to trace other members of the gang. The police also suspect that the gang was involved in facilitating impersonation of candidates, adding another layer to their fraudulent activities.
This crackdown highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled academic fraud and the need for heightened vigilance among educational institutions and students. Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to examination leaks to prevent further exploitation.
