Lucknow: A case of alleged fraud involving a fake medical admission consultancy has come to light in Lucknow, where a person was reportedly duped of ₹18.25 lakh on the pretext of securing an MBBS seat for his daughter. A complaint has been registered at Vibhuti Khand Police Station, and an investigation has been initiated into the matter.
According to police, Santosh Kumar Sahu, a resident of Daltonganj in Jharkhand, had contacted a consultancy firm through an online platform for his daughter’s MBBS admission. The complainant said he came across a website named “Study Pathway Consultancy”, which claimed to provide services related to medical admissions.
As per the complaint, after contacting the mobile number mentioned on the website, a person identified as Abhinav Sharma allegedly assured him that his daughter would be provided admission to an MBBS course. The accused allegedly demanded money in the name of confirming a medical seat.
The complainant alleged that the accused collected a total amount of ₹18.25 lakh from him through multiple bank accounts, claiming that the payment was related to admission at Hind Institute of Medical Sciences. However, despite the payment, no admission was secured. When the complainant started verifying the details, he allegedly discovered that he had been cheated.
The victim further stated that when he attempted to contact the consultancy, its office located in Gomti Nagar was found closed. Following this, he approached the police and lodged a complaint. During the preliminary investigation, police found that the bank account in which the money was deposited belonged to Santosh Kumar, a resident of Samastipur, Bihar.
Investigators are now examining bank account details, transaction records and communication links to identify all individuals allegedly involved in the fraud. Police are also trying to determine whether the accused group has cheated other students and families using a similar method.
Cyber crime experts said admission-related frauds are increasing as criminals exploit the anxiety of students and parents regarding professional courses and limited availability of seats. Fraudsters often use fake consultancy websites, forged documents and false assurances to gain the trust of victims.
Experts have advised students and parents to verify the credentials of private admission consultants before making any payment. The authenticity of the medical college, admission process and recognition status should always be confirmed through official sources.
They also warned that claims of guaranteed seats, management quota admissions or immediate confirmation of admission should be treated with caution. Transferring large amounts of money to unknown individuals or private accounts without proper verification can result in significant financial losses.
Police officials said all possible aspects of the case are being examined. Investigators are analysing technical evidence and financial transactions to identify the accused persons and trace the movement of the allegedly defrauded amount. Further legal action will be taken after completion of the investigation.
