The Baner police station in Pune has launched a manhunt for two individuals accused of orchestrating a sophisticated admission fraud, cheating ten aspiring medical students out of a staggering Rs 1.3 crore. The suspects allegedly operated from an office in Balewadi, preying on students' dreams by falsely promising them seats in various medical colleges across Maharashtra.
Modus Operandi: Exploiting Dreams with Stolen Data
According to Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant, the accused possessed a trove of sensitive data, including the names and contact details of students who had appeared for the common entrance test (CET) for both government and private medical college admissions. This data breach formed the foundation of their scam.
The duo specifically targeted students who had been unable to secure a seat through the regular admission process. They would contact these vulnerable aspirants and offer them a coveted seat in a medical college located somewhere in Maharashtra. In one detailed instance, the father of a student from Chandrapur received a call. The fraudsters promised his son admission to a medical college in Jalgaon, presenting it as a "paid seat."
The Elaborate Sting and Disappearing Act
The operation unfolded between November 1 and December 6. Once the victims were convinced, the suspects called them to Jalgaon to finalize the deal. After the hopeful students and their families arrived, the accused collected substantial sums of money from them.
However, the promise was a hollow one. After receiving the payments, the duo simply locked their Balewadi office and fled, leaving the students in the lurch with neither admission nor their money. The crime came to light when the 52-year-old father from Chandrapur, realizing he had been duped, filed a formal complaint with the Baner police on Sunday.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Search
The police have registered a case and are actively pursuing the two suspects. The investigation reveals a calculated fraud that exploited the intense pressure and competition surrounding medical admissions in India. Authorities are examining how the accused obtained the sensitive CET data and are tracing the financial trail of the Rs 1.3 crore that was swindled.
This incident serves as a stark warning for students and parents to be extremely vigilant during the admission season. They are advised to only trust official channels and verified counseling processes for securing seats in professional courses, and to immediately report any unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true.
