Mumbai: Cyber fraud in India is rapidly expanding its footprint, now reaching the education and research sector. In a sophisticated, well-coordinated scam, fraudsters impersonate officials from premier institutions like IITs to lure professors and private universities with promises of high-value, government-funded research projects. The scam came to light after multiple academicians received proposals worth crores, accompanied by demands for upfront payments.
Crore-Worth Promise, Costly Trap
Preliminary findings suggest that the perpetrators claim their proposals have been approved by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). They convince institutions that, to secure the project and unlock funding, a small percentage—typically 2% to 3% of the total project value—must be deposited in advance into an escrow account. This is often described as a “formal processing fee” or “project security deposit.”
What makes this fraud particularly dangerous is its professional execution. The fraudsters provide detailed project proposals, technical summaries, and even research roadmaps. Many proposals include topics such as AI-driven surveillance systems, border security infrastructure, and advanced technology development, which makes them appear highly credible. In several instances, they also use names of reputed professors and refer to ongoing government schemes to strengthen their claims.
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Fake IIT Identity, Real Financial Danger
Sources indicate that private universities are especially vulnerable to this scam. Institutions striving to improve their national rankings and research profiles are more likely to engage with such lucrative opportunities. Fraudsters often bypass standard academic channels and approach top management or promoters directly, enabling financial decisions to be made quickly without thorough verification.
In one such case, a university was offered a ₹24 crore project and was pressured to make an immediate payment. However, when official verification or communication through institutional email was requested, the individual abruptly disappeared, exposing the fraudulent intent.
Private Universities in the Firing Line
Government sources have clarified that organizations like ANRF never demand advance payments for grants or collaborations. Their processes are formal, transparent, and secure. Institutions have been advised to remain vigilant and ensure strict verification at every stage. An official advisory on the matter is also expected soon.
Meanwhile, the Future Crime Research Foundation has raised concerns over this emerging trend. According to its analysts, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting sectors where trust and institutional reputation play a crucial role. The education and research domain is being seen as a “low-risk, high-reward” target.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh warned, “This is an advanced form of social engineering where fraudsters exploit credibility, urgency, and authority. Even highly educated individuals can fall prey if procedural diligence is overlooked. Any demand for advance payment in the name of government grants should be treated as a major red flag.”
One Verification Can Save Crores
Experts have urged institutions and academicians to verify all proposals through official channels, rely only on authenticated email domains, and avoid making any upfront payments under any circumstances.
Notably, a similar incident last year resulted in a university losing around ₹2.5 crore after transferring funds for a fake project. Investigations later revealed that the fraudster had created a highly convincing academic profile to establish credibility.
This development highlights a clear shift in cybercrime patterns, with criminals moving beyond traditional scams to target specialized sectors. The growing competition in education and the race for research funding have made the sector increasingly vulnerable.
Authorities have appealed to institutions to conduct thorough due diligence and report any suspicious communication immediately. In the digital age, trust must always be backed by verification, as even a small lapse can lead to massive financial losses.
