Thane: A case of fraud involving ₹16.35 lakh has surfaced in Thane, where a woman was allegedly cheated by three individuals on the pretext of securing engineering college admission for her daughter. The accused—Tashin Khan (40), Saif Khan (42), and a woman identified as Shruti—have been booked following a complaint, and an investigation is currently underway.
According to officials, the case was registered on April 2 at a local police station after the victim reported that she had been misled through false promises and fabricated documents. No arrests have been made so far, but authorities are examining the financial trail and possible links to a wider network.
Contact established through newspaper advertisement
The investigation revealed that the victim came across a newspaper advertisement in June 2025 claiming guaranteed admission to a reputed engineering college in Mumbai. Intrigued by the offer, she contacted the number provided and was asked to visit an office in Kapurbawdi.
At the office, the accused allegedly introduced themselves as authorised representatives connected to the college. They assured the woman that her daughter’s admission was “confirmed” and pressured her to make payments quickly to secure the seat.
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₹16.35 lakh collected over five months
Between June and November 2025, the accused reportedly collected a total of ₹16.35 lakh from the victim. The payments were made through a combination of cash transactions and bank transfers. After each payment, the woman was reassured that the admission process was progressing smoothly and that formalities were nearly complete.
The accused maintained regular communication, reinforcing the belief that the seat had been secured and only minor procedural steps remained.
Forged receipts and fake documents used
To strengthen their credibility, the accused allegedly provided the victim with a fee receipt bearing a fake college stamp and forged signatures. This document was presented as proof that the admission had been finalised.
Investigators later confirmed that the receipt was fabricated. The use of such forged documents played a crucial role in convincing the victim that the process was legitimate.
Fraud exposed during college visit
The scam came to light in November 2025 when the woman visited the college to collect her daughter’s identity card. Upon inquiry, college authorities informed her that no admission had been granted under her daughter’s name and no application existed in their records.
Realising she had been deceived, the victim immediately approached the police and filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of the case.
Case registered under multiple BNS sections
Authorities have booked the accused under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery. Officials indicated that such scams are often carried out by organised groups targeting parents seeking admission in professional courses.
The investigation is now focused on identifying whether the accused have duped other victims using similar tactics and whether additional individuals are involved in the network.
Rising trend of admission-related frauds
Incidents of fraud linked to educational admissions have seen a noticeable rise in recent years. Scammers exploit the urgency and aspirations of parents by offering guaranteed seats in prestigious institutions, often backed by fake documents, websites, and offices.
Experts note that professional courses like engineering and medical studies are particularly targeted due to high demand and limited seats, making victims more vulnerable to such schemes.
Advisory: Verify before making payments
Officials have urged the public to exercise caution while dealing with admission agents or advertisements. Prospective students and parents are advised to verify all claims directly with the concerned educational institutions and rely only on official websites or authorised channels.
