An alleged online scam that preyed on the fears and aspirations of NEET candidates has been uncovered in Madhya Pradesh, leading to the arrest of a first-year law student accused of selling fake “leaked” examination papers through Instagram. Investigators claim the study material marketed as confidential exam content was actually generated using artificial intelligence tools and had no link to any genuine NEET question paper.
The accused, identified as 19-year-old Akshay Malviya from Indore’s Lasudia area, was arrested after authorities received information from Kota, Rajasthan, a major coaching hub for medical entrance examinations. The information prompted investigators to examine social media accounts suspected of promoting leaked examination content to students preparing for competitive tests.
According to investigators, Malviya allegedly operated an Instagram page that advertised access to NEET question papers, leaked exam material, and exclusive study resources. Through promotional posts and messages, prospective candidates were reportedly told that they could obtain important questions and examination-related content before the test.
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Authorities said students who showed interest were directed to payment links associated with the account. In exchange for payments ranging from ₹50 to ₹200, they allegedly received PDF documents that were presented as leaked papers or highly confidential question sets. Investigators believe the low cost of the material may have encouraged students to make payments without suspecting fraudulent activity.
During the investigation, officials reportedly found that the accused had no access to any actual NEET examination paper or confidential testing material. Instead, investigators allege that he used AI-powered tools to create PDFs containing probable questions, mock exercises, and practice content. These documents were then marketed online as leaked examination papers to attract students seeking an advantage in the highly competitive medical entrance examination.
Preliminary findings suggest that between 20 and 35 NEET aspirants may have purchased the material. Although the individual financial losses were relatively small, investigators believe the case reflects a growing trend in which social media platforms and artificial intelligence technologies are being misused to exploit students and their families.
Authorities have expressed concern that such schemes can erode confidence in examination systems and create unnecessary anxiety among candidates. Officials noted that false claims about leaked papers often spread rapidly online, especially during the weeks leading up to major entrance examinations, increasing the risk of misinformation and panic.
Cybersecurity experts say the case highlights how emerging technologies can be weaponized for deceptive purposes. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said fraudsters are increasingly combining AI-generated content with social media marketing techniques to create an appearance of authenticity. According to him, scammers frequently keep the payment amount low because many victims are reluctant to report minor losses, allowing such operations to continue unnoticed for extended periods.
He added that while the monetary value involved in individual transactions may appear insignificant, the larger impact lies in undermining trust in competitive examinations and exploiting the emotional vulnerability of students under intense academic pressure.
Investigators are now examining the accused’s mobile devices, social media accounts, and financial transactions to determine the full extent of the operation. Authorities are also exploring whether similar material was sold under the names of other competitive examinations and whether additional individuals were involved in managing or promoting the alleged scheme.
Officials have urged students and parents to remain cautious of social media accounts claiming to provide leaked question papers, guaranteed selections, or exclusive access to examination content. They have advised the public to verify information through official channels and report any suspicious examination-related activity to the appropriate authorities.
