Cyber Police busts interstate gang operation duping people for MBBS admissions

One accused was arrested from Kolkata. Pic/police sources

The North Regional Cyber Police has busted a interstate gang operation, duping people under the guise of facilitating MBBS admissions.

The police have arrested one accused in the case from Kolkata, identified as Anand Kumar Ram, who was found to be receiving 15 percent of the proceeds from the fraudulent activities. The police are currently searching for his accomplices involved in the scam.

The victim in this scam is a lady teacher residing in Kandivali, whose daughter aspired to pursue MBBS studies. Last year, she came across an advertisement on social media regarding MBBS admissions and submitted her details through a link provided in the advertisement. Subsequently, she received a call from Anand, who extracted information regarding her daughter's desired university and branch of study. An online interview was conducted by Anand, following which a fake offer letter was sent claiming confirmed admission in the desired college. Exploiting the situation, the accused extorted Rs 22 lakh from the woman under the pretext of securing admission for her daughter, sources said.

The victim realized the fraudulent nature of the scheme after visiting the college, and lodged a complaint. The complaint was lodged with the North Regional Cyber Police. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Datta Nalavde instructed the officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. A team led by Assistant Inspector Sanjay Pawar, commenced the investigation.

Following leads obtained during the investigation, the police proceeded to Kolkata, where Anand Kumar Ram was apprehended from a hotel. It was discovered that Anand, a resident of Dhanbad and a post-graduate, had incurred substantial losses through investments in cryptocurrency during the Covid-19 pandemic. To mitigate these losses, he resorted to fraudulent activities through agents, police sources said.

Anand Kumar Ram's modus operandi involved conducting online interviews of students from hotel rooms, receiving 15 percent of the fraudulent proceeds in cash. He had rented a room in Kolkata and was staying in a hotel to evade law enforcement authorities.