The Cyber Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested three individuals in two separate cases linked to the NEET-UG examination, uncovering an interstate cyber fraud network that allegedly targeted students and parents through fake Telegram channels and attempted to divert refund payments from candidates’ accounts.
Fake RE-NEET Paper Scam
In the first case, investigators arrested two Rajasthan residents for allegedly operating multiple Telegram channels that falsely claimed to provide question papers for a supposed “RE-NEET” examination.
The accused have been identified as Sumersingh Bharatlal Meena from Jaipur and Akash Pappulal Meena from Kota. Police said they allegedly ran several Telegram channels, including Raghav_singh_neet, NEET Raghav Sir Original, Student Money Help, Trade With Karol, Pankaj Bhardwaj and Deepak Wadhwa, among others.
According to investigators, the duo used these channels and other social media platforms to circulate misleading advertisements claiming access to confidential examination papers and study material. Students and parents were allegedly persuaded to transfer money through QR codes, bank accounts and online payment platforms in exchange for fake question papers and other fraudulent promises.
Police said the accused also inflated the membership of their Telegram channels using third-party applications before attempting to sell the channels for profit.
The Cyber Crime Branch analysed Telegram accounts, mobile numbers, IP addresses and other digital evidence, which led to the identification and arrest of the accused.
Further investigation revealed that the duo allegedly operated investment fraud schemes through Telegram groups such as Trade With Karol and Pankaj Bhardwaj, promising unusually high returns to investors. Six bank accounts linked to the accused have reportedly been connected to 12 cyber fraud complaints registered across different states.
Investigators also found that the accused allegedly routed fraud proceeds through bank accounts associated with gaming platforms to conceal the money trail before withdrawing the funds through associates. Preliminary findings indicate transactions worth nearly ₹1.5 crore across various accounts.
Police said the accused had created around eight NEET-related Telegram channels and 44 websites allegedly used for gaming, betting and cyber fraud activities. No genuine NEET examination papers or authentic study material were recovered during the investigation.
Bihar Student Arrested for Refund Diversion Attempt
In a separate case, the Cyber Crime Branch arrested a 19-year-old BSc student from Bihar for allegedly attempting to divert refund payments of nearly 150 NEET candidates into his personal bank account.
The accused, identified as Navinkumar Shankar Prasad Yadav from Bihar’s Gaya district, allegedly targeted around 350 NEET candidates by exploiting weak passwords on their examination portal accounts.
According to police, he used brute-force techniques to gain unauthorised access to accounts protected by simple passwords. After gaining access, he allegedly changed account credentials and replaced candidates’ bank details with his own to receive refunds processed through the NEET portal.
The fraud was detected by the Chief Information Security Officer of the National Testing Agency (NTA), who noticed suspicious activity through the portal’s security monitoring system and shared technical evidence with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch. Investigators traced the digital trail to Bihar and subsequently arrested the accused.
Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
Cyber Crime Branch Advisory
Following the arrests, the Cyber Crime Branch urged students and parents not to trust Telegram channels, social media posts or online advertisements claiming to provide examination papers, guaranteed admissions or result manipulation services.
Officials also advised citizens to report any suspected cyber fraud immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.