Mumbai man arrested for ₹82 lakh medical admission scam

In India, a businessman named Magesh Rane was defrauded of Rs 82 lakh while attempting to secure medical admission for his son, Aaditya, who had completed his MBBS in 2019. After struggling to gain admission due to a low NEET score, Rane was introduced to Anil Tambat and his associates, who promised to help secure a spot in an MD (Radiology) program through the NRI quota. Initially, Rane was approached by Sandeep Waghmare, who demanded Rs 2 lakh but later increased the amount significantly. Rane, desperate to help his son, sold family gold and took loans, ultimately transferring Rs 1.36 crore to the fraudsters through various payment methods. Despite the initial assurances, Rane faced repeated avoidance from Tambat and his associates after the money was transferred. Eventually, he received a fake admission letter and identity card, leading him to realize he had been scammed. After confronting Tambat, Rane was verbally abused, and his attempts to recover the remaining funds were met with threats. Rane then filed a complaint with the police in Borivali, resulting in Tambat's arrest, while three of his associates remain at large. This incident highlights the growing issue of educational fraud in India, particularly in the medical admission process, where desperate parents are often targeted by scammers. The case has raised concerns about the integrity of the admission process and the need for stricter regulations to protect students and their families from such fraudulent schemes. As investigations continue, authorities are urged to take action against those involved in similar scams to prevent further victimization of hopeful students and their families.