A major education scam has surfaced in Lucknow, where a fake consultancy allegedly defrauded four families of ₹1.26 crore by promising MBBS admissions for their children.
The accused collected large sums under the pretext of confirmed medical seats and later shut down their office before fleeing.
The racket operated under the name “Study Pathway Hind Institute of Medical Sciences and Admission Consultancy” from an office located in Vijayant Khand, Gomtinagar.
Following complaints from parents, an FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station, and investigators have begun tracking the digital footprint of the suspects.
Digital Deception: Fake Website and Email IDs
The consultancy reportedly built a professional-looking website — study-pathwayconsultancy.com — and communicated through info@studypathwayconsultancy.com to appear credible.
The site featured names of reputed medical colleges and detailed fee structures across India, giving it the appearance of a legitimate education portal.
Victims were repeatedly called to the office for counseling sessions, document verification, and seat allotment meetings.
Payments were collected in installments — partly in cash and partly via online transfers.
Fake Admission Letters and False Promises
One parent reported that the consultancy promised a confirmed MBBS seat at the Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur.
After paying ₹55 lakh, the family received what appeared to be an authentic admission letter.
However, upon reaching the institute, officials denied any record of the student’s admission.
Other families said they had paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹35 lakh, but by late October, the office was found locked, and all communication with the consultancy ceased.
Suspected Nationwide Admission Racket
Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused were part of a pan-India network using Telegram groups and targeted online campaigns to lure parents during the medical counseling period.
Fake counseling schedules and “seat confirmation” documents resembling official templates were circulated to gain trust.
According to police sources, the consultancy’s website was hosted on a foreign server, and some transactions may have been routed through cryptocurrency wallets, complicating the money trail.
More Victims Come Forward
During the investigation, three additional parents came forward with similar complaints, claiming losses of ₹38 lakh, ₹33 lakh, and ₹23 lakh, respectively.
Each was promised a “reserved MBBS seat” and told their admission would be confirmed by the end of October — after which all contact abruptly stopped.
Cyber Crime Unit Begins Digital Tracking
Inspector from the Lucknow Cyber Crime Unit confirmed that the team is analyzing bank accounts, domain registrations, and digital communications linked to the accused.
“This appears to be a well-coordinated online fraud network operating under the guise of an education consultancy. We are tracing both financial and digital evidence to identify and locate the culprits,”
the officer said.
A Rising Pattern in Education Scams
Experts note that this case highlights the growing sophistication of education-related cyber frauds in India’s private medical sector.
With high tuition fees, limited government seats, and opaque admission procedures, many families fall prey to scams promising certainty in a competitive system.
“Digital platforms have made it easier for fraudsters to mimic legitimate admission processes. In an uncertain system, the illusion of certainty is what traps most victims,”
said an education expert from Lucknow University.
The case underscores how trust-based educational systems are being exploited through digital deception.
Authorities have urged parents to verify all admission or counseling offers through official government portals, such as the MCC and NMC websites, before making any payment.
“Fraud in education doesn’t just steal money — it steals futures.”
