📰 Mumbai NEET Scam: CBI Arrests Two for ₹90 Lakh Racket Promising Exam Score Manipulation via NTA Links

Mumbai | June 2025 – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two individuals for allegedly orchestrating a scam targeting NEET-UG 2025 aspirants and their families by promising score manipulation in exchange for ₹90 lakh.

The arrested accused, identified as Sandeep Jawahar Shah and Salim Patel, were nabbed in Mumbai and have been remanded to CBI custody till Monday by a local court.

🧾 The Modus Operandi

According to preliminary CBI findings:

The duo posed as agents with access to National Testing Agency (NTA) systems.

They approached parents of medical aspirants, falsely claiming they could alter NEET scores or leak question papers.

Victims were asked to pay up to ₹90 lakh per candidate for guaranteed high ranks.

Sources say the accused created fake NTA credentials and even provided dummy scorecards to build trust.

🕵️‍♀️ CBI Investigation & Arrest

The scam came to light after a parent lodged a complaint, suspecting foul play. A swift investigation led the CBI to trace digital footprints and bank transactions linked to the accused.

Searches were conducted at multiple locations in Mumbai.

Electronic devices, mobile phones, fake IDs, and transaction records have been seized.

CBI officials confirmed this could be part of a larger inter-state racket exploiting loopholes in high-stakes entrance exams like NEET.

🧠 What’s NEET-UG & Why Is It a Target for Scams?

NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate) is India's largest and most competitive medical entrance exam. In 2025, over 23 lakh students appeared for the exam to secure limited MBBS/BDS seats.

With high competition and emotional pressure on students and parents, NEET is increasingly becoming a hotspot for criminal rackets who exploit fear and desperation.

🧩 Case Breakdown: What Happened in Mumbai?

🔐 The Core Allegation:

Accused Sandeep Jawahar Shah and Salim Patel allegedly posed as insiders or agents linked to the National Testing Agency (NTA).

They claimed to “manipulate NEET scores” post-exam through unauthorized NTA system access.

The demand? ₹90 lakh per candidate in exchange for guaranteed high ranks.

🕵️‍♂️ How They Got Caught:

A parent of a NEET aspirant grew suspicious after being approached and reported the matter to authorities.

The CBI tracked the suspects via mobile communications, bank transactions, and social media/dark web activity.

A sting-like operation led to their arrest in Mumbai.

Seizures included:

Fake NTA IDs

Forged NEET scorecards

Electronic devices with NEET-related data

Transaction ledgers and WhatsApp chats

⚖️ Legal Status & Charges

Both Shah and Patel were remanded to CBI custody till Monday. They face charges under:

Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 471 (using forged document as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code

Sections of the IT Act for digital fraud and impersonation

Possible charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, if any NTA link is confirmed

The CBI is now exploring whether any NTA insiders were actually involved — or if the link was fabricated.

📊 Pattern: Not an Isolated Case

This isn’t the first time NEET has seen fraud:

2023: NEET paper leak in Bihar involving coaching centers.

2022: Similar “post-exam hacking” scam unearthed in Uttar Pradesh.

2021: Medical seat scam involving AIIMS impersonators.

“As long as exams are high-stakes and opaque, such rackets will thrive,” says cybersecurity expert Vishal Malhotra.

📣 What Authorities Say

NTA Statement (Expected or Preliminary):

“No breach in our digital systems has been found so far. Any external claims of post-exam manipulation are fake. NEET’s process is secure and transparent.”

CBI Source (As reported):

“This could be a wider racket. We are examining links across states and verifying if more aspirants were targeted or duped.”

🧷 What Parents & Students Should Know

✅ How to Stay Safe:

Never believe anyone claiming to alter NEET scores.

NTA does not allow any post-exam changes, and the process is automated with security layers.

Report suspicious calls/emails to the cybercrime portal or nearest police.

🔚 Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call

This scam is a reminder that pressure-filled competitive exams can fuel exploitation. With increasing digitalization, fraudsters now use tech jargon, fake portals, and spoofed IDs to trap victims.

CBI’s crackdown may just be the tip of the iceberg in a multi-crore scam industry running alongside India’s booming private education market.