A major study-abroad fraud case has surfaced in the city, where an education consultancy allegedly duped a Kandivali-based doctor of ₹10.11 lakh on the false promise of securing his daughter’s admission to a university in the Netherlands. One of the accused has been arrested after five months on the run, while the alleged masterminds behind the operation remain absconding.
From Counselling Office to Fraud Trap
The arrested accused, identified as Shraddha Vitthal Gadekar, was tracked down and taken into custody by police following sustained efforts. However, the main accused—Stella Rakesh Mehta and her husband Rakesh Mehta—are yet to be apprehended. Investigators believe the couple operated a wider fraud network and may have cheated multiple victims using a similar modus operandi.
According to the complaint, the victim, Dr Nehal Kanu Joshi, had been exploring overseas education opportunities for his daughter, who aspired to pursue a Master’s programme in Trade and Logistics from a Netherlands-based university. During an online search, the family came across a consultancy firm named ‘Career and Options,’ which claimed expertise in facilitating foreign admissions.
FCRF Academy Launches Premier Anti-Money Laundering Certification Program
In October 2023, the student and her friend visited the firm’s office in Charkop, where they met the accused. The trio allegedly projected themselves as experienced consultants capable of ensuring smooth admission processes, gaining the trust of the students and their families.
A month later, in November 2023, Dr Joshi visited the office along with his wife. The accused explained the admission process in detail and assured them that the fees paid to their firm would be directly transferred to the university abroad. They also claimed to have tie-ups with financial institutions to facilitate education loans.
Loans, Transfers, and Sudden Disappearance
When concerns were raised about arranging funds, the accused allegedly guided the family to an associate who helped secure an education loan of ₹33 lakh within a short span. Investigators say this was part of a carefully orchestrated plan to build credibility and ensure the victim had sufficient funds to transfer.
Following the loan approval, Dr Joshi transferred ₹10 lakh to the consultancy’s bank account on August 1, 2024, followed by ₹11,000 the next day, as instructed by the accused. However, despite receiving the money, the firm neither initiated the admission process nor made any payment to the university.
The fraud came to light when the student received communication from the university stating that no tuition fees had been deposited in her name. Alarmed by this, the family confronted the accused at their office.
In an attempt to deflect suspicion, the accused allegedly claimed that admission had been arranged at an alternative institution and that fees had already been paid there. However, within days, the office was found shut, and all three accused had disappeared.
Wider Network, Past Cases, and Warnings
Further inquiry by the complainant revealed that other students and parents had allegedly been cheated in a similar manner. The accused reportedly used the same strategy—promising foreign admissions, collecting substantial amounts, and vanishing without delivering on commitments.
Investigations also revealed that the main accused were already facing multiple fraud cases across Mumbai and Thane, indicating a pattern of repeated offences. This has raised concerns about the lack of due diligence and regulatory oversight in the overseas education consultancy sector.
Police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against all three accused. Gadekar was produced before a local court following her arrest, and further interrogation is underway to trace the absconding accused and uncover the full extent of the fraud.
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh stated that such scams often rely on a combination of social engineering and financial manipulation. “Fraudsters exploit the aspirations of students and parents by creating a façade of legitimacy. They use loan arrangements, professional setups, and convincing communication to build trust before executing the fraud,” he said.
He further warned that victims should always verify the credentials of consultancy firms, cross-check directly with universities, and avoid transferring large sums without official confirmation.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution while dealing with overseas education agents and report any suspicious activity promptly, as investigations continue to identify more victims and dismantle the network behind the scam.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
