Lucknow Family Loses ₹37 Lakh in Medical College Admission Fraud

Overview of the Fraud

A family residing in Greenwood Apartment, Lucknow, was reportedly defrauded of ₹36.89. Lakh under the pretext of securing a medical college admission. According to police reports, the suspects allegedly issued fake allotment letters and fee receipts from a college in Bengaluru. Authorities have managed to freeze approximately ₹24 lakh associated with the transactions.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to the complaint filed by Suman Katiyar, her daughter intended to secure admission to a medical college through the NEET examination.

• Initial Contact: On October 1, the victim reportedly discovered an advertisement on Instagram under the name 'Doctor Admission Desk'.
• False Promises: Upon contacting the page, the accused allegedly claimed they could arrange a seat in a government college through donation and institutional-level quotas.
• Financial Demands: The perpetrators initially demanded ₹30 lakh, later raising the donation claim to ₹45 lakh. They requested ₹6 lakh as token money, with the remaining amount payable during admission.

To build trust, the suspects requested NEET and counseling-related documents, communicating primarily via email and WhatsApp.

Payments and Discovery

On October 2, the family deposited an initial ₹3 lakh into a designated bank account. Subsequently, they transferred ₹26.89 lakh online in multiple installments. Additionally, a person was sent to collect ₹10 lakh in cash from the family's residence under the pretext of collecting funds via hawala. In return, the family received fabricated fee receipts and an allotment letter.

On October 10, Suman Katiyar traveled to Bengaluru to complete the admission formalities at the medical college, where college authorities reportedly informed her that the documents were entirely fake and denied any knowledge of the admission.

Police Action and Practical Implications

Following the incident, the family registered a complaint on the national cyber crime portal. On Wednesday, an FIR was formally registered at the Gomti Nagar Extension police station against Vijay Kumar, Abhishek Kumar, Tarun Kumar, Raghavendra Chaudhary, and others.

How to Verify and Protect Against Admissions Fraud

• Verify Independently: Always cross-check admission offers directly through official university or college websites and helpline numbers.
• Avoid Social Media Agents: Legitimate medical admissions in India are conducted strictly through centralized counseling authorities (such as MCC or state-level directorates) based on NEET scores.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a financial cyber fraud, report it immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or call the 1930 helpline.