Udupi : A general medicine doctor from Udupi fell victim to a postgraduate (PG) admission scam, losing ₹8.5 lakh after being lured with a promise of a Master of Public Health (MPH) seat at a prestigious university in the United Kingdom. The scam, orchestrated by a group of fraudsters, came to light after police arrested three individuals and recovered stolen assets worth ₹9.56 lakh, including ₹5 lakh in cash, an Innova car, and two mobile phones.
The Scam
The doctor was approached by an individual named Aftab during a stay in Dubai. Aftab offered to secure him an MPH seat for ₹18 lakh and asked for an advance payment. Since the doctor did not have an NRI account in Dubai, Aftab introduced him to one of the co-accused, Suman S (24), from Shivamogga.
Trusting the scheme, the doctor traveled to Udupi and met Suman near MTR Hotel, where he transferred ₹8.5 lakh as an advance. After the payment, the fraudsters stopped responding to his calls, and the doctor realized he had been scammed.
Police Action
Following a complaint filed by the victim at the Udupi Town Police Station, an investigation was launched. The police arrested three individuals:
- Suman S (24, Shivamogga)
- Suhan Khan (22, Moodbidri)
- Mohammad Mahaz (23, Moodbidri)
The operation, led by PI Ramachandra Nayak and supported by PSI Eranna Shiragumpi, PSI Puneet Kumar, and PSI Bharatesh, involved a detailed investigation and collaboration with the Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police Station.
Recovered Assets
The police seized the following items from the accused:
- ₹5,00,000 in cash
- An Innova car
- Two mobile phones
Key Takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of offers for overseas education and admission consultancies. The police have urged individuals to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities immediately.
The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to trace other individuals who may be involved in the scam.
