Five Arrested for Defrauding Seven in College Admission Scam

The Chandannagar police in Pune are actively pursuing five individuals accused of defrauding seven victims out of a total of Rs 47 lakh through fraudulent college admission promises. The victims were lured by false assurances of securing spots for their children at prestigious educational institutions across India.

One of the victims, a 55-year-old tuition teacher from Navi Mumbai, reported the incident on Thursday, stating that he lost Rs 4 lakh in the scheme. His daughter, who achieved over 90% in her Standard XII examinations, had been unable to gain admission to her desired engineering college.

According to an officer involved in the investigation, the teacher discovered an advertisement on social media that promised guaranteed admissions into engineering courses. After contacting the number listed in the ad, he was told that the company had strong connections with top colleges nationwide. Following this conversation, he was instructed to visit their office in Wadgaon Sheri to meet with a senior representative.

On May 25, the victim met the five accused, who requested Rs 15 lakh for his daughter’s admission. They assured him that the process would be completed within 25 days. The teacher submitted an advance payment of Rs 4 lakh. Despite his repeated inquiries, the promised admission never materialized.

When the victim was unable to obtain a refund, he approached the police for assistance. The officer revealed that the investigation uncovered a wider scheme, with the same method used to defraud six other individuals, bringing the total fraudulent amount to Rs 47 lakh.

As the police continue their search for the accused, this incident highlights the ongoing issue of educational fraud, particularly as parents seek reliable pathways for their children’s academic futures.