Fake RE-NEET Paper Scam: Two Rajasthan Men Held For Targeting Aspirants Through Telegram

The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested two men from Rajasthan for allegedly operating a multi-state cyber fraud network that targeted NEET aspirants and their families.

According to investigators, the accused used Telegram channels to falsely claim they had access to RE-NEET examination question papers and confidential exam-related information.

Police believe the alleged fraudsters took advantage of the stress and uncertainty surrounding one of India's toughest entrance examinations, convincing students and parents to pay money for leaked papers and exclusive updates that never existed.

The arrests come at a time when concerns over examination security and paper leaks continue to dominate public discussion.

Fraudsters allegedly collected money from nearly 1,000 students by promising RE #NEET exam papers, with transactions worth around ₹1.50 crore. Investigators say funds were routed through a gaming website account before being diverted.@NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @jayanthjacob pic.twitter.com/9bv7pX8o13

— Dilip Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) June 15, 2026

How the Alleged RE-NEET Scam Operated

According to the investigation, the accused created and managed several Telegram channels with names designed to appear authentic and connected to NEET preparation or examination updates.

Through these channels, they allegedly advertised access to RE-NEET question papers, insider information, and other confidential examination material. Students and parents were reportedly asked to make payments in return for receiving these so-called exclusive resources.

Police said the operation relied heavily on social media promotions, misleading advertisements, and fabricated claims to create panic and urgency among candidates preparing for the medical entrance examination.

After collecting money through bank transfers, QR codes, and digital payment platforms, the accused allegedly failed to provide the promised material.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal, on the busting of an inter-state cyber fraud racket that allegedly cheated students and parents in the name of the Re-NEET examination, says, "First of all, I want to make it clear that this is not a… pic.twitter.com/m6dP5kG9rO

— IANS (@ians_india) June 15, 2026

Two Rajasthan Residents Arrested

Following technical surveillance and an analysis of digital evidence, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime officials tracked down and arrested two suspects from Rajasthan.

The accused have been identified as:

• Sumer Singh Meena, an ITI graduate from Jaipur.
• Akash Meena, a graduate from Kota.

Investigators said the arrests were made after examining Telegram channels, mobile numbers, IP addresses, and financial transaction records linked to the alleged operation.
Police also claimed that one of the accused managed a Telegram identity associated with the channel "Raghav_singh_neet", along with several other examination-related groups.

Dear @NTA_Exams
A Telegram channel "REE NEET MAFIAA 2.0" is claiming access to RE-NEET 2026 paper and asking students for money.
Link: https://t.co/U44Dv5Z6YE...
Requesting immediate investigation.@EduMinOfIndia @dpradhanbjp@CyberDost#RENEET2026 #NEET2026 #NTA pic.twitter.com/3YgrqsCour

— Mr Priyanshu Shukla (@priyanshu_53292) June 14, 2026

Probe Reveals a Wider Online Fraud Network

What initially appeared to be a fake NEET paper scam reportedly turned into a much larger cyber fraud investigation.

According to officials, the accused were also allegedly involved in operating Telegram groups linked to investment and profit-making schemes. Some of these channels carried names such as "Trading With Karol" and "Pankaj Bhardwaj", where users were promised unusually high financial returns.

Investigators believe these groups were used to attract investors and generate additional revenue through misleading claims.

The probe further revealed that Telegram membership numbers may have been artificially increased using third-party services. Police suspect the inflated subscriber counts were later used to boost the value of the channels before selling them for profit.

Financial Transactions Worth ₹1.5 Crore Under Investigation

One of the biggest discoveries during the investigation has been the financial trail linked to the accused.

Police said transactions amounting to nearly ₹1.5 crore have been identified across multiple bank accounts connected to the alleged network. Investigators also found links to six bank accounts associated with at least 12 cyber fraud complaints registered in different states.

Authorities suspect that money collected through fraudulent activities was routed through gaming-related accounts and several banking channels to conceal its source. The funds were then allegedly moved through a chain of accounts before being withdrawn and used for personal purposes.

Dozens of Websites and Hundreds of Contacts Identified

Cyber Crime officials reported that the investigation uncovered approximately 44 websites that were allegedly connected to online gaming, betting, gambling, and cyber fraud activities.

In addition, nearly 1,000 mobile numbers and Telegram contacts were found to have interacted with the network over a period of just one month, highlighting the scale of the alleged operation.

However, investigators clarified that no genuine NEET question papers or confidential examination material were recovered from the accused during the investigation.
According to the police, the entire fraud was built on false promises and deception rather than any actual access to examination content.

Police Issue Advisory for Students and Parents

Following the arrests, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime officials urged students and parents to avoid trusting social media accounts, Telegram channels, or online advertisements that claim to provide leaked question papers, guaranteed admissions, or manipulated examination results.

Authorities advised candidates to rely only on official notifications and information released by recognised examination agencies.

Citizens who come across suspicious online activity have also been encouraged to report it through the National Cyber Helpline (1930) or the official Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Rising Concern Over Exam-Related Cyber Frauds

The latest case comes against the backdrop of heightened concerns about the integrity of competitive examinations in India. Following controversies and allegations of paper leaks in recent years, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the fears and anxieties of students by offering fake leaked papers and guaranteed ranks through encrypted platforms such as Telegram.

Investigators say these frauds are less about actual access to examination material and more about manipulating the hopes of students who are under immense pressure to succeed.