Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai police has busted a gang that duped students by promising them seats in private medical colleges in return for as much as Rs 20 lakh per candidate.
The police came to know of at least six such students who fell prey to the scam and have made partial payments so far. The police suspect there may be more victims.
According to police officials, the complainant, Shyamsunder Gupta, a Navi Mumbai resident, met the two accused identified as Sagar Lohot (32) and Nikhil Katmani (28) who assured him of a medical seat for his brother in return for Rs 20 lakh. Lahot used to work as coordinator at a private medical college. The accused would lure students and once the latter and their parents were convinced, demand Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh from them for a medical seat. After payment, they would go missing, switching off their cell phones. The duo’s modus operandi was revealed when Gupta filed a case at CBD Belapur police station two weeks ago. The two would claim that a few medical/nursing/management institutions had appointed them. “We are checking if any such institutions were helping these accused,” said a Navi Mumbai police officer.
The cops have warned the public not to pay heed to such fraudsters who promise seats in educational institutions.
