Chennai: In the ongoing investigation into a scam involving a man posing as a priest to dupe parents with promises of securing MBBS seats, it has been revealed that he would take parents to Vellore, showing them the medical college and nearby areas to gain their trust. A colleague, disguised as a bishop, would then approach the parents as part of the scheme.
Previously, the accused as Jacob Thomas, a resident of Koodal in Pathanamthitta. He was arrested at Chennai International Airport while attempting to flee to Malaysia. During interrogation, Thomas disclosed his fraudulent methods. Claiming to be a gospel worker, he convinced families in Kerala and other states of his connections with Vellore Medical College and an Anglican bishop, using this pretense to extort money.
Thomas would accompany parents to the college, claiming that the church had a quota for MBBS seats and that he could secure one for their child. He would ask parents to wait outside the college while he pretended to finalize arrangements inside. Later, he would take them to another location to meet a supposed bishop. This “bishop” was actually a group member, Paul Gladson, dressed for the role.
The fake bishop would reassure the parents, emphasizing confidentiality about the process. Once the money was collected, the group would disappear, and no admission notifications would follow.
The scam was exposed when some parents directly contacted Vellore Medical College, learning that no agency was authorized to allot church seats, which were instead allocated through church selection procedures.
To evade capture, Thomas lived in seven states, including Bihar, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu. During his stay in Thakkalai, Kanyakumari, he allegedly defrauded several families, with reported losses ranging from ₹60 lakh to ₹80 lakh.
