Beware! Indian Medical Students Targeted in International Scam Offering Guaranteed Seats in Spanish Institutes
Beware! Indian Medical Students Targeted in International Scam Offering Guaranteed Seats in Spanish Institutes
The scammers employ a highly professional approach, utilising Google Meets for communication and managing all paperwork seamlessly.
8th June 2024
A sophisticated scam targeting medical students in India has emerged, promising guaranteed admission to Spanish medical institutes without the need for legitimate documents or entrance exams. The scammers employ a highly professional approach, utilising Google Meets for communication and managing all paperwork seamlessly.
Victims only realise they have been deceived upon arrival in Spain, leaving many stranded in a foreign country, according to an official from the Dongri police speaking anonymously.
Allegedly, the scammers operate an illicit agency named “The Internationally” on Instagram, lacking a registered physical office. According to a police officer, the agency employs multiple reels on their page to build victims’ trust. Archana Gautam, Rahul Gautam and Vivek Kumar were identified by Dongri police as the leaders of this operation.
While Archana Gautam has been apprehended in Delhi, the whereabouts of the other two remain unknown. Authorities are currently investigating the case and have charged the trio with offences under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as criminal conspiracy and fraud.
The scam surfaced when a 28-year-old doctor lodged a complaint at the Dongri police station, accusing three individuals of defrauding him of Rs 15 lakh. Speaking anonymously, the doctor stated, “In 2023, I encountered a reel on a page named Internationally, which enticed me to reach out to them.”
The doctor shared his encounter, revealing that he reached out to an individual named Vivek, who guaranteed him admission to a radiology course in Spain without the need for entrance exams. “They informed me about a five-year radiology program and advised me to undergo a three-month Spanish language course. They assured me of admission without any entrance exams and accepted a payment of Rs 14 lakh,” he recounted. The doctor further stated that Vivek, along with Archana and others, persuaded him by presenting forged documents and false testimonials.
The agency had promised admission to Hospital Rey Juan Carlos, as per their claims. Another victim, a 27-year-old doctor, shared a similar narrative, having paid Rs 15 lakh to the agency in anticipation of lucrative job prospects in Spain. “Last year, I was drawn in by the enticing offer presented in the agency’s reel. They had a methodical approach to deceive hopeful students aspiring for postgraduate courses,” the doctor stated. Witnessing testimonials on Instagram further convinced him, with agency members assuring him of a 4,000-euro income. After paying the sum and learning Spanish, communication from the agency ceased, leaving him without satisfactory answers regarding admission.
The trio has been charged under Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
