Two alleged fraud networks in Bengaluru are accused of collecting a combined ₹2.35 crore by promising government jobs and postgraduate medical seats, with both cases now under investigation by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), according to Prajavani – Bengaluru.
In the first case, four accused allegedly collected ₹1.12 crore from job aspirants after promising positions including computer operator at Lok Bhavan, and First Division Assistant and Second Division Assistant posts in the health department. CCB sources said cases have been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Rajendra Prasad, Vitthal Mugur, Pramod, Siddಯ್ಯa and Puttamadayya. The report identifies five names in connection with the case.
The complainant, Abdul Razak, was introduced to the accused through a person named Prakash. The accused allegedly promised government jobs to Razak and his relatives. An initial payment of ₹50,000 was allegedly taken near MS Building, after which the aspirants were allegedly asked to make further payments in stages. The total amount allegedly collected reached ₹1.12 crore.
According to the report, the complainants sought a refund after the promised jobs did not materialise. The accused allegedly threatened Abdul Razak and others when they asked for their money back. The police are investigating the allegations and the transactions connected with the case.
The second case involves a 53-year-old Indiranagar businessman whose daughter had completed her MBBS at JJM Medical College in Davangere and was seeking a postgraduate seat. The accused allegedly promised her a dermatology seat under the NRI quota at institutions including Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College, Father Muller Medical College and St John’s Medical College.
The accused, identified in the report as Nikhil Saraf and Dev Batija, allegedly met the complainant at a café on Mahatma Gandhi Road. They allegedly created documents resembling those used for an NRI quota admission and collected ₹1.23 crore through cash and online transfers. The report said the money was taken on the assurance that a postgraduate medical seat would be arranged.
The case also includes allegations involving a separate payment of ₹10 lakh for booking 75 hotel rooms for the complainant’s daughter’s wedding. The accused allegedly paid only ₹1.20 lakh to the hotel and did not settle the remaining amount. The report said Nikhil Saraf, Dev Batija, Sudhir Saraf, Danny Gowda and Prakruthi Reddy allegedly acted together in the fraud.
A police officer quoted in the report said preliminary investigation had established the alleged fraud. The officer also said people seeking medical seats, including children of businesspersons and politicians, were being identified and approached with claims that seats could be secured at prominent medical colleges in Bengaluru.
The cases underline the risk created by informal access claims around government recruitment and professional education admissions, where applicants may be asked for large advance payments outside official processes. Police officials urged people who have faced similar alleged fraud to approach the CCB. The investigation into both cases is continuing.
