Just days before the Re-NEET examination, Rajasthan Police have uncovered an alleged online racket that was operating through a Telegram channel and promising aspirants access to the examination’s question paper in exchange for money. A 19-year-old student has been arrested on charges of cheating candidates by selling fake question papers. Investigators believe the case may extend beyond a single individual and are examining the possibility of a larger network operating behind the scheme.
Digital Profile Masking and Virtual Private Netlinking
According to police, the accused has been identified as Akash Choudhary, who was arrested from his residence in Patel Nagar, Bhilwara. Authorities said he had been preparing for competitive examinations while residing in Jaipur and had recently returned to Bhilwara. Preliminary investigations revealed that he had created a Telegram channel named “Paper Mafia,” through which he allegedly claimed to provide the authentic Re-NEET examination paper to candidates.
Investigators said the Telegram channel had 52 members. The accused allegedly charged ₹4,000 from each aspirant in exchange for the promised question paper. Candidates were reportedly sent QR codes for payment, and the money was transferred directly into his bank account. Police are now trying to determine how many students paid money and the total amount collected through the operation.
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Late-Night Custodial Sweeps and Surveillance Stream Captures
The alleged racket came to light after security agencies received inputs regarding suspicious social media activities linked to examination-related fraud. Following the intelligence inputs, surveillance and technical monitoring were initiated. Based on digital evidence, investigators traced the activity to the accused and conducted a late-night operation to detain him. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to operating the Telegram channel, following which he was formally arrested.
Investigators further found that the accused had been using a United States-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) and proxy networks to conceal his identity and online location. These technologies allegedly enabled him to operate Telegram accounts while masking his digital footprint. Officials said such methods often complicate investigations, but advanced cyber forensic techniques can still help identify individuals involved in illegal online activities.
Textbook Sample Extraction and Dummy Template Circulations
During the search operation, police seized a mobile phone, study material related to NEET preparation and several documents considered relevant to the investigation. Authorities also discovered that the accused allegedly scanned pages from competitive examination books and created dummy question papers, which were then circulated as genuine examination papers. Investigators are examining whether similar methods had been used in connection with other examinations in the past.
Social Engineering Traps and Psychological Vulnerability Exploitations
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that fake paper-selling networks often exploit the anxiety and pressure faced by students through social engineering tactics. According to him, claims of selling or purchasing examination papers are not only fraudulent but can also expose students to serious legal consequences. He advised aspirants and parents to rely solely on official sources of information and immediately report any suspicious online activity related to examinations.
Police have registered a case against the accused under provisions relating to cheating, the Information Technology Act and laws governing public examinations. Investigators are currently examining his bank accounts, mobile data, digital transactions and online contacts. Officials said the probe is ongoing and may reveal additional associates linked to the operation, as well as the actual number of candidates who may have fallen victim to the alleged fraud. Amid heightened security measures surrounding the Re-NEET examination, authorities are treating the action as a significant breakthrough in protecting the integrity of the examination process.
