Critically Ill Patients’ Families Targeted in Hospital-Linked Fraud
Bhopal:
A man posing as a doctor has been arrested for orchestrating a fraud linked to Hamidia Hospital, Madhya Pradesh’s largest government medical facility. Since January, at least 10 families of critically ill patients are believed to have been cheated, though only three have formally lodged complaints so far, reporting combined losses of over ₹30,000.
Insider Leaks Enabled the Scam
Investigators revealed that the fraud was facilitated by insider information. Hospital staff allegedly shared sensitive patient details—such as ward numbers, medical conditions, addresses, treatment updates, and relatives’ phone numbers—with the accused, who reportedly paid a 20 per cent commission for each tip-off.
Posing as a Doctor to Build Trust
Armed with accurate medical data, the accused contacted families while posing as a doctor. He would claim that the patient’s condition was critical and promise faster tests or “better treatment” in exchange for immediate payment, often sending QR codes to collect money instantly.
Urgent and Manipulative Calls
The calls were deliberately urgent and emotionally charged. In one case, the accused pressured a child’s family by claiming an echocardiogram could be arranged immediately, urging them to transfer ₹10,000. In another call, he bluntly warned, “Mother and child are in danger. Send the money immediately,” according to audio recordings cited by NDTV.
Direct Hospital Encounter
In a particularly disturbing incident, the accused allegedly met a family inside the hospital while posing as a doctor treating a child with a heart defect. This personal interaction further cemented trust and convinced the family to make the payment.
Multiple Victims, Similar Pattern
Other victims reported similar experiences. One family transferred ₹20,000 online, another paid ₹10,999 after repeated calls warning of danger to a pregnant woman and her newborn, while a third victim paid ₹5,000 after being contacted by a caller posing as “Dr Arnav.” These three cases alone account for losses exceeding ₹30,000.
Staff Involvement Under Probe
The scam primarily targeted high-stress departments such as Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Emergency Medicine. Investigators suspect at least seven hospital staff members of involvement, noting that the fraud would not have been possible without internal assistance.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Following repeated complaints, hospital authorities alerted the police. Cybercrime teams tracked the accused’s phone for three days before arresting him in Indore and bringing him to Bhopal. Confirming the arrest, CSP Anil Bajpai said the accused admitted that hospital employees supplied him with information, adding that it was possible the operation functioned as a gang. Further investigation into the wider network is ongoing.
