Pune Police Arrest Bihar Education Counsellor for Fake Admission Racket
The Pune Police Crime Branch has arrested Kunal Kumar, an education counsellor from Bihar, for allegedly running a fake online admission racket by misusing the name and branding of a reputed Pune-based educational institute. Kumar was intercepted along with his wife at Kolkata airport on Wednesday while attempting to board a flight to Thailand, following a tip-off and a look-out notice issued by the Pune Police.
According to officials, Kumar had published misleading advertisements online that falsely claimed to offer admissions to various courses at a prominent educational institute in Pune. These ads included the institution’s name, logo, website, and even images, all used without authorization, to lure unsuspecting students into paying money under false pretences.
Senior Inspector Ulhas Kadam of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Crime Branch, confirmed that Kumar was brought to Pune for further investigation. “A case of cheating was registered at Deccan Gymkhana Police Station on April 2, 2024, after the institute noticed the misuse of their identity. The advertisements misled students into believing they were securing legitimate admissions,” said Kadam.
As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Kumar had at least two accomplices, and efforts are underway to trace their whereabouts. After the FIR was filed, police teams launched a multi-state manhunt, conducting searches in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi. Despite extensive efforts, Kumar managed to evade arrest for weeks by constantly shifting locations.
The situation escalated when authorities learned of his plans to flee the country. Acting on intelligence inputs, the police issued a look-out notice, leading to his detention at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The couple was stopped just before boarding an international flight to Thailand.
Further investigation revealed that Kumar is also a wanted accused in a 2021 cyber fraud case registered with the Pune Cyber Crime Police. In that case, his anticipatory bail had been rejected by a sessions court, but he failed to surrender and remained at large.
Police believe Kumar’s racket may have duped several students across the country, and appeals have been made for potential victims to come forward. Authorities are now examining digital evidence, including bank transactions, mobile devices, and online ad accounts, to determine the full scope of the fraud.
The arrest has raised concerns over the increasing number of education-related cyber scams, especially those targeting students during admission seasons. Police have urged the public to verify admission claims directly with institutions and report suspicious advertisements immediately.
Kumar remains in custody, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming days.
IT.
