Lucknow: Cyber Crime Police Bust Gang Cheating NEET Aspirants, Two Arrested

The Cyber Crime Police in Lucknow have busted a gang that cheated NEET-qualified students and their families by promising medical college admissions under the management quota. The fraudsters claimed they could help candidates clear the NEET exam and secure seats in medical colleges, and in return collected huge sums of money.

The gang created a fake website and Instagram page using the name Hind Institute of Medical Sciences. Through these platforms, they tricked students and parents into believing they were dealing with an authentic admission consultancy.

A complaint was first filed on November 1, 2025, by Vijay Bahadur, who said he was cheated of ₹45 lakh. Others also came forward — Rajesh Verma lost ₹20 lakh, Deep Singh ₹38 lakh, and Preeti Singh ₹23 lakh. Several more victims are now approaching the police with similar complaints.

Following the order of the Police Commissioner, a special team was formed. On November 25, police arrested the main accused Premshankar Vidyarthi alias Abhinav Sharma from near Kathauta Lake. His associate Santosh Kumar was also taken into custody. Both are residents of Bihar.

During questioning, Abhinav confessed to operating fake admission consultancies in several states. He bought data of NEET-qualified candidates with low scores and contacted them with offers of guaranteed admission in medical colleges in Barabanki and Sitapur. To make the scam appear genuine, the gang accepted money through bank accounts, online payments, cash, and demand drafts.

In the raid, police seized 3 mobile phones, 6 CPUs, 6 monitors, a Wi-Fi router and dongle, cheque books, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and ₹4,98,490 in cash.

Police said that more than 18 cases under fraud and IT Act are already registered against the accused in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, and Bihar. Officers also believe that more people are part of this network and expect more arrests as the investigation continues.