An investigation into a medical seat racket has uncovered that the main suspect, Prem Prakash Vidhyarthi, had access to data on approximately 20 lakh students who had taken the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) over the past few years. The accused allegedly obtained this data illegally from a private agency in Delhi.
According to cybercrime investigators in Vadodara, Vidhyarthi was planning a significant scam and had accumulated confidential NEET score records, Class 12 marks, and contact information for nearly 20 lakh students aspiring to secure medical seats. He reportedly spent a substantial amount of money to acquire this information.
During interrogation, Vidhyarthi revealed that he obtained the data from a Delhi agency, which, in turn, acquired it from an agency in Pune.
Authorities are currently investigating these agencies to determine how they obtained the students’ data.
Vidhyarthi’s gang targeted students with low NEET scores and offered them medical seats in reputable medical colleges for a high fee.
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Vidhyarthi rented offices in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and created websites for two popular medical colleges. Parents who were interested in paying a significant amount of money to secure a medical seat for their child were invited to the office or shown the website.
After the fees were paid, the gang would shut down the offices and websites and disappear.
Another suspect, Anand Tiwari, was recently arrested by cybercrime investigators for his involvement in scouting for students and leasing properties for the gang.
Vidhyarthi has over 10 cases of cheating registered against him in UP and Delhi, while Tiwari has previously spent ten years in jail for transporting drugs. The two met in a Gorakhpur jail.