AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Police’s Cyber Crime Department have unearthed an alleged cyber fraud syndicate that exploited the anxiety surrounding the RE-NEET examination by falsely promising access to leaked question papers.
The probe has exposed a wider network of investment scams, gaming-related money laundering, and cyber fraud transactions worth around Rs 1.5 crore.
According to investigators, unknown persons created multiple Telegram channels and IDs and circulated attractive advertisements, messages, and posts claiming they could provide the RE-NEET question paper and other confidential examination material.
The false assurances were designed to exploit the fear and desperation of aspirants, ultimately convincing several victims to transfer money through online payment platforms.
Investigators examined Telegram channels, mobile numbers, IP addresses, bank accounts, online transactions, and electronic devices. Technical analysis coupled with human intelligence reportedly led police to a Telegram channel named "Raghav_singh_neet", which was allegedly linked with nearly seven other similar channels.
Police claim these channels were handed over to a Telegram user operating under the name "Private Mafia", who allegedly used them to spread fake claims about leaked examination papers.
Based on digital evidence, investigators identified two suspects Sumer Singh, a resident of Jaipur, Rajasthan, and Akash Meena, a resident of Kota, Rajasthan as key players in the operation. Officials say the accused were also running parallel investment fraud schemes through Telegram groups and social media platforms under names such as "Trade With Karol" and "PANKAJ BHARDWAJ".
Police revealed that the accused demanded payments through QR codes, online wallets, and multiple bank accounts while using third-party applications to artificially inflate the membership and premium subscriber count of their Telegram channels. The inflated numbers were then allegedly used to sell the channels to other individuals for illegal profits.
Investigators have made another startling discovery. No actual NEET examination material or question papers were recovered from the accused. Instead, officials believe the entire operation was built on fake promises and misleading propaganda aimed solely at extracting money from unsuspecting students and parents.
The financial trail has uncovered an even larger cyber network. Police found that at least 12 complaints from different states were linked to six bank accounts allegedly controlled by the accused.
Investigators suspect that fraud proceeds were routed through bank accounts associated with gaming websites to hide the origin of the money before being transferred across multiple accounts.
Authorities further allege that the accused withdrew the funds through accounts operated by associates and used the proceeds for personal financial gain.
Preliminary findings indicate that transactions worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore passed through the network. The scale of the operation has shocked investigators.
During the last one month alone, around 1,000 mobile numbers and Telegram channels were reportedly contacted as part of the alleged fraud campaign.
The investigation has also revealed that nearly 44 websites were created and allegedly used for gaming, betting, gambling, and various cyber fraud activities. Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police registered a case under C.R. No. 11191067260089/2026 under Sections 318(4), 319(2), and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and launched an extensive digital investigation.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police believe the racket was not merely an examination scam but part of a much larger organized cyber fraud ecosystem. Officials have seized crucial digital evidence, banking records, and electronic devices, while further investigation is underway to identify additional beneficiaries and uncover the full extent of the network.
