In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Maharashtra’s MBA aspirant community, the Mumbai Crime Branch on Thursday arrested four men from Delhi for orchestrating a scam that targeted students preparing for the MBA-CET exam. The fraudsters allegedly promised guaranteed high percentiles and admissions into top B-schools like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) — all in exchange for a price tag that ranged from ₹11 lakh to ₹20 lakh. Yes, you read that right. These young scammers claimed they could “secure” your dream B-school seat — not with hard work or mock tests — but with a hefty bank transfer.
Who Got Arrested?
The four men arrested have been identified as:
- Abhisek Dilipkumar Srivastav (20)
- Chetan Kumar (22)
- Aditya Raj Anilkumar
- Amereshkumar Abhaykumar (23)
All of them were operating out of Delhi, and authorities believe they are part of a broader network targeting students in high-stakes entrance exams. The police are currently on the lookout for more individuals linked to this growing racket.
How Did the Scam Work?
It all began with a series of unsolicited calls made to MBA aspirants across Maharashtra. Students reported that unknown callers promised them 99+ percentile scores in the MBA-CET exam — enough to get into JBIMS and other top management colleges. All they had to do? Pay an “arrangement fee” of ₹11–20 lakh.
To make the scam look credible, the fraudsters even advised aspirants to select specific, low-competition exam centers in districts like Bhandara, Gondia, Yavatmal, and Jalna. This added a layer of “strategy” to their pitch — a move that made many candidates believe it was a legitimate inside deal.
The Tip-Off That Sparked the Investigation
The case began unraveling when Abhishek Joshi, a project coordinator at Eduspark — the official agency managing MBA-CET registration — filed a complaint. He flagged several suspicious reports of fraudsters contacting students directly and promising manipulated results.
Further investigations revealed that students like Devesh Rane, Vishal Satpute, and Sarvesh More had all been contacted with similar offers. They were told not just about percentile guarantees but also given assurances of direct admissions into prestigious institutions.
What stood out was that the fraudsters knew personal details of these candidates — indicating that this wasn’t just a random phishing attempt. Someone had clearly leaked or stolen data from the official CET registration portal.
A Secret Committee & A Trail to Delhi
With the credibility of the MBA-CET exam at stake, the State CET Cell quickly formed a confidential investigation committee. On March 13, 2025, the Commissioner of the CET Cell submitted a detailed report to the Mumbai Police, formally requesting immediate action to safeguard the examination process.
Soon after, an FIR was registered at Azad Maidan Police Station under charges of cheating, forgery, breach of trust, and under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. The case was handed over to the Crime Branch’s Unit 5, known for cracking cyber and education-related crimes.
One of the most critical breakthroughs came when a student submitted audio recordings and WhatsApp chat screenshots of his interaction with the scammers. The messages clearly outlined a negotiation — “99 percentile for ₹20 lakh.”
As more complaints poured in, cyber investigators traced the phone numbers and digital fingerprints back to Mehrauli in South Delhi. A raid was conducted, and the four accused were arrested and brought back to Mumbai for further questioning.
Inside the Racket: Stolen Data, Chat Logs & Multiple Devices
The search of the Delhi premises revealed several mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards — all used in orchestrating the scam. Forensic experts recovered detailed chat logs, spreadsheets with candidate names and contact info, and even call recordings.
This confirms that the gang had access to sensitive registration data — including contact numbers, roll numbers, and application preferences. Investigators now believe there may be insider involvement, possibly someone from the CET Cell or the technical backend team of the registration portal.
“This is a serious breach of trust,” said a senior crime branch officer. “We’re now focusing on tracking how the data was leaked and whether more insiders or accomplices are involved.”
What Happens Now?
As of now, the four accused are in police custody, and more arrests are likely. The State CET Cell has assured that security measures are being strengthened, and a full cybersecurity audit is underway. They’ve promised to plug any loopholes in the system before the upcoming CET exams.
In addition, the Mumbai Police has launched a dedicated helpline for students to report any suspicious calls, messages, or offers related to exam fraud or admissions.
The Bigger Picture: How Safe Are Our Exams?
This incident is a wake-up call — not just for aspirants but for education authorities across the country. Competitive exams like MBA-CET, NEET, and JEE affect lakhs of students every year. A single scam like this can shake public faith in the system.
When you combine vulnerable students, intense competition, and cyber loopholes, it creates the perfect environment for fraud. And scammers are getting smarter — using real data, psychological manipulation, and fake guarantees to lure aspirants.
So here’s the takeaway: If someone claims they can “guarantee” admission or percentile scores — it’s a scam. Period. No honest path to a B-school involves paying a bribe or getting scores fixed.
Final Thoughts
The MBA-CET scam bust is both disturbing and necessary. Disturbing because it shows how deep the rot can go. Necessary because it highlights the importance of vigilant enforcement, digital security, and student awareness.
To all aspirants out there: Stay sharp. Work hard. Trust your prep. And if something smells off, report it. Let’s not allow scammers to play with dreams that are built on months — sometimes years — of dedication. Got a tip or suspect something fishy? Contact Mumbai Police’s cyber helpline or CET Cell immediately. Don’t fall into the trap.
