GRE Exam Cheating Scam Using Dummy Candidates Busted by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime branch.
In a recent cybercrime investigation, the police have apprehended three individuals involved in a fraudulent scheme that targeted students aspiring to study in the United States. Exploiting the desperation of students seeking to crack the GRE exam, the gang operated through a website called VOICE IMMIGRATION INDIA, offering misleading services. By orchestrating fake exams and providing answers through WhatsApp, these criminals managed to deceive over 400 students. This article sheds light on the details of the crime, the roles played by the accused individuals, the modus operandi they employed, and the items seized during the investigation.
The Deceptive Scheme:
The gang preyed upon the dreams of students eager to pursue their education in the United States, particularly those aiming to pass the crucial GRE exam. They operated under the guise of VOICE IMMIGRATION INDIA, luring unsuspecting students with promises of exam assistance and guaranteed success.
Exploiting the Vulnerable:
Desperate to succeed, students turned to the website and contacted the criminals, unaware of their nefarious intentions. The gang demanded exorbitant fees and promised to secure passing grades on the GRE exam. Unfortunately, the victims were oblivious to the fact that they were being led into a web of deception.
The Modus Operandi:
The accused individuals employed a multi-layered approach to execute their fraudulent activities. Firstly, they would arrange fake exam setups, typically held at hotels in different cities. Students would be instructed to appear for the exams at these locations, providing an air of legitimacy.
To ensure that students received the correct answers during the exam, the gang utilized WhatsApp as their communication channel. A member of the gang, Chandrasekhar alias Rahul Hanumantrao Karalpudi, played a key role in this process. He would discreetly send answers to the students via WhatsApp, enabling them to cheat their way through the exam.
The Roles of the Accused:
1. Maheshwara Balanagendra Cherla (Reddy):
Cherla, pursuing part-time studies in B.Sc., was responsible for organizing the exam setups. He would discreetly type answers on a Bluetooth-connected keyboard, hidden from the invigilators' view. For every student he assisted, Cherla received a commission of Rs. 4,000.
2. Sagar Dhirjlal Hirani:
Hirani, a Bachelor of Engineering graduate in I.T., operated an office named Voice Immigration. He facilitated consultations for student visas and exam registrations, specifically for TOEFL and GRE exams. Hirani earned a commission of Rs. 15,000 per student, with approximately 15 students falling victim to his scheme.
3. Chandrasekhar alias Rahul Hanumantrao Karalpudi:
Karalpudi, with a B.Tech. degree, resided in Vadodara for two decades. He played a crucial role in sending answers to students during the exam via WhatsApp. Karalpudi colluded with various agents, ultimately facilitating cheating for over 400 students. He received a commission of Rs. 35,000 per student.
Seizure of Incriminating Evidence:
During the investigation, the police seized various items that linked the accused to the crime. These included five laptops, three CPUs, seven mobile phones, and other devices, totaling a value of Rs. 95,870. These items served as critical tools used to perpetrate the fraudulent activities of the gang.
Conclusion:
The recent arrest of three individuals involved in a deceptive GRE exam fraud scheme highlights the importance of safeguarding students' academic journeys. By exploiting students' aspirations and offering false promises, this gang managed to deceive a significant number of students. However, through
