How Fraudulent MBBS Admission Consultants Exploit Aspirants

How Fraudulent MBBS Admission Consultants Exploit Aspirants
Fraudulent MBBS admission consultants exploit aspirants through deceptive tactics, false promises, and financial scams. Here’s how they operate, based on recent cases:
False Promises of “Guaranteed Admission”
Target low-rankers: They prey on NEET aspirants with low scores, offering “management quota” seats in top government colleges for ₹30-40 lakh.
Fake college lists: Provide fabricated lists of reputed institutions like BRD Medical College (UP) or Mahatma Gandhi Institute (Maharashtra) to gain trust.
Impersonation: Pose as agents of legitimate consultancies (e.g., “Sun Shine Asia”) to appear credible.
Advance Payment Traps
Demand hefty deposits: Ask for ₹5-15 lakh upfront as “advance fees” via cheques or bank transfers.
Fake documents: Issue forged admission letters, college ID cards, or emails mimicking official communication.
Threats: Use intimidation tactics (e.g., kidnapping threats) if victims demand refunds.
Fake Consultancy Operations
Social media ads: Lure victims through Facebook/Instagram ads promoting “discounted seats” or “last-chance admissions”.
Shut-and-run model: Close offices abruptly after collecting money (e.g., SEZ Academy in Mumbai).
Proxy scams: Use impersonators for entrance exams (e.g., RPMT 2009 in Rajasthan).
Legal and Financial Consequences
Lifetime bans: Students risk admission cancellation and barred medical licenses if fraud is exposed (e.g., 9 Rajasthan MBBS graduates banned).
Financial ruin: Families lose lakhs, with little hope of recovery (e.g., ₹81 lakh scam in Pune, ₹14 lakh in Noida).
Legal loopholes: Many consultancies exploit delayed police action or jurisdictional gaps.
How to Avoid Fraud
Verify colleges: Cross-check NMC/MCI recognition and directly contact institutes.
Avoid cash transactions: Use traceable payment methods and demand official receipts.
Report early: File FIRs immediately if suspicious (e.g., Mumbai’s Sakinaka police acted on complaints).
Recent Arrests: Key accused like Kumar Gaurav (Delhi) and Anil Tambat (Pune) have been arrested, but scams persist due to high demand and lack of awareness.
(Media Reports)