Bengaluru Businessman Defrauded of Rs 25 Lakh in Elaborate MBBS Seat Scam
A 45-year-old businessman from Bengaluru has fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud scheme, losing a staggering Rs 25 lakh to three individuals who falsely promised to secure an MBBS seat for his daughter at the prestigious Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). The accused allegedly collected the substantial sum last year but neither delivered the promised medical college admission nor returned the money.
Police Complaint Details the Elaborate Deception
According to a formal complaint lodged by Lal Babu at the Banashankari police station on February 28, the accused include Dr. Sharath KP, who fraudulently claimed to be the president of KIMS, along with accomplices Shamsher Baig and Syed Tabrez. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 336 (forgery), and 340 (using forged documents as genuine).
The complainant's daughter had completed her Pre-University Course (PUC) and appeared for the National Level Test (NLT) examination with aspirations of pursuing an MBBS degree. In June 2025, Babu was introduced to Shamsher Baig through a mutual acquaintance, Syed Tabrez, setting the stage for the elaborate scam.
How the Fraud Unfolded Step by Step
The initial meeting between Babu and Shamsher Baig took place at Hazrat Yakeen Shah Wali Dargah in Sampangiramanagar. During this encounter, Baig introduced Babu over the phone to Dr. Sharath KP, who confidently assured the father that he could secure a medical seat for his daughter through his purported position at KIMS.
Following this telephonic conversation, Babu and his son visited Sharath on June 24 at the KIMS campus located in Banashankari's 2nd Phase. Sharath met them in a conference hall within the medical institute, introduced himself as the "president" of KIMS, and allegedly bolstered his credibility by displaying an official-looking identity card. He then collected the girl's original educational documents, including her SSLC and PUC marks cards, NLT examination certificate, and PAN card.
The very next day, Babu was instructed to meet the accused at a hotel near Basaveshwara Circle, where they informed him that a "donation" of Rs 25 lakh was required to secure the MBBS seat. Trusting their professional appearance and convincing assurances, Babu began making payments in multiple instalments.
The Payment Trail and Fake Documentation
The financial transactions commenced immediately, with Babu transferring Rs 50,000 on the same day through a digital payment application. This was followed by several bank transfers totaling Rs 10 lakh between June 26 and July 4 last year, all directed to Sharath's accounts.
The complainant alleges that after receiving these initial payments, the accused produced counterfeit receipts that appeared to be issued by a state government department. These forged documents were presented as genuine to persuade Babu to pay the remaining balance. Subsequently, the outstanding Rs 15 lakh was allegedly handed over in cash to Sharath, Shamsher Baig, and Syed Tabrez on three separate occasions: July 4, September 27, and December 25.
Discovery of Fraud and Police Action
Despite collecting the full Rs 25 lakh, the accused neither secured the promised medical seat nor returned any portion of the money. Babu later discovered through his own investigation that Sharath was not, in fact, the president of KIMS as he had claimed throughout their interactions.
Alleging that the trio had intended to cheat him from the very beginning through false promises and misrepresentation, Babu approached the Banashankari police. The authorities have confirmed that the accused are currently absconding, and an active investigation is underway to locate and apprehend them.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by parents and students in the competitive medical education landscape, where the desperation to secure admissions sometimes leads to falling prey to sophisticated fraudsters posing as institutional officials.
