Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has busted an interstate cyber fraud network that allegedly targeted NEET-UG aspirants and parents through fake “RE-NEET” paper leak claims, fraudulent Telegram channels and a separate refund diversion module. Three people have been arrested in connection with two linked cybercrime cases, while investigators have traced suspicious transactions worth more than ₹1.5 crore.
In the first case, the arrested accused have been identified as Sumer Singh Bhartlal Meena of Jaipur and Akash Pappulal Meena of Kota. Police said the two allegedly operated several fraudulent Telegram channels that claimed access to confidential NEET question papers and examination material.
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Fake Telegram Channels Used to Target Aspirants
Investigators said the accused ran Telegram channels using names such as “Raghav_singh_neet”, “NEET Raghav Sir Original”, “Student Money Help”, “Trade With Karol”, “Pankaj Bhardwaj” and “Deepak Wadhwa”. Through these channels, they allegedly circulated deceptive messages and advertisements to mislead students and parents.
Victims were persuaded to pay money through QR codes, bank accounts and online payment systems in exchange for so-called leaked papers or confidential academic information. Police said no genuine examination material was provided and the claims were found to be fraudulent.
Officials also found that the accused allegedly used third-party applications to artificially inflate subscriber counts of their Telegram channels. This was done to make the channels appear credible before they were later used or offered for sale.
₹1.5 Crore Transactions Under Scanner
The investigation has revealed that the alleged fraud was not limited to exam paper claims. Police said some channels, including “Trade With Karol” and “Pankaj Bhardwaj”, were also used to lure people with promises of unusually high investment returns.
Authorities have traced suspicious financial transactions of about ₹1.5 crore across multiple bank accounts linked to the accused. These transactions are spread across several states, and at least 12 cyber complaints in different jurisdictions have been connected to the network.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said such groups exploit examination-related fear and social engineering to target students and parents. He said most Telegram or unofficial channels claiming paper leaks or guaranteed results are fake and exist for financial exploitation.
Refund Diversion Module Also Exposed
In a separate case, police arrested Navinkumar Shankar Prasad Yadav, a 19-year-old BSc student from Gaya district in Bihar, for allegedly attempting to divert NEET refund payments. He is accused of targeting nearly 350 candidates and trying to redirect refund amounts of around 150 students into his own bank account.
Investigators said he allegedly used brute-force techniques and weak passwords to gain unauthorised access to candidate accounts on the examination portal. After accessing the accounts, he allegedly changed banking details to divert refund payments.
The suspected fraud was detected after the National Testing Agency’s security monitoring system flagged suspicious activity and shared technical inputs with cyber authorities. Police said the digital trail helped trace the accused.
The Cyber Crime Branch has urged students and parents not to trust Telegram channels, social media posts or unofficial websites claiming access to exam papers, admission guarantees or result manipulation services. Investigations into associated bank accounts, digital wallets and fraudulent websites are continuing.
