The main accused, identified as Yashraj Bajpai, allegedly impersonated a DTU staff member and used his familiarity with the university, its faculty and internal functioning to convince prospective students and their parents that he could arrange admissions. Police said the accused allegedly exploited the growing competition for college seats and the aspirations of families seeking admission to reputed educational institutions.
The case came to light after a woman approached the police, alleging that she had been cheated of approximately ₹8.5 lakh on the pretext of arranging admission for her daughter to DTU.
Woman Allegedly Cheated of ₹8.5 Lakh
According to police, the complainant, identified as Dr Kritika Joshi, approached the Shahbad Dairy police station after allegedly losing ₹8.5 lakh to the fraudsters.
Investigators said the woman was reportedly attracted through online advertisements that offered assistance with university admissions. The accused allegedly contacted her and made assurances that they could arrange a seat for her daughter at Delhi Technological University.
Believing their claims, the complainant allegedly transferred money in the expectation that the promised admission would be secured. However, the assurances turned out to be fraudulent, prompting her to approach the police.
The investigation revealed that the accused allegedly used online platforms to identify and approach families searching for admission opportunities. By presenting themselves as people with access to university officials and admission procedures, they allegedly attempted to establish credibility among their targets.
Former DTU Student Allegedly Posed as University Staff Member
Yashraj Bajpai, the alleged mastermind of the racket, reportedly used his previous association with DTU to make his claims appear convincing.
Police said his familiarity with the university’s environment, faculty members and other institutional details helped him impersonate a staff member. His background allegedly enabled him to present himself as someone who understood the admission process and had the necessary connections to influence it.
Investigators also found that Bajpai allegedly used this familiarity to enter the university premises without attracting suspicion.
Police believe that the accused relied on their apparent knowledge of the institution to gain the confidence of prospective students and their families. The investigation is examining how the impersonation was carried out and whether anyone else was involved in facilitating the alleged fraud.
Two Other Accused Arrested in Bhopal
The other two accused have been identified as Sonu, also known as Yuvraj, aged 32, and Devender Singh, aged 30.
According to investigators, both men were allegedly involved in the fraudulent operation and had been absconding during the initial stages of the investigation.
Following information obtained from Bajpai during police custody, investigators traced the two suspects to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. A police team subsequently arrested them on October 26 after tracking their movements through technical surveillance.
Their arrests are expected to help investigators establish the operational structure of the alleged racket, including how prospective victims were approached, how payments were collected and what responsibilities each accused member allegedly handled.
Fake Websites and Online Advertisements Used for Over a Year
Delhi Police said preliminary findings suggested that the accused had allegedly been operating the fraudulent admission network for more than a year.
The group reportedly used fake websites and online advertisements to attract students and parents looking for admission opportunities. Such advertisements allegedly created the impression that the individuals behind them could provide admission assistance through unofficial channels.
Police are investigating the digital platforms used by the accused, including the websites and advertisements through which potential victims were contacted.
DCP (Outer North) Shobhit D. Saksena said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted because of the seriousness of the allegations. The team was assigned the responsibility of identifying the accused, tracing the cheated money and investigating the wider network.
Police have also appealed for information about other possible victims, as investigators suspect that the complainant may not have been the only person targeted by the alleged operation.
Special Investigation Team Formed
After the complaint was received, an FIR was registered at the Shahbad Dairy police station. The case was filed under Sections 318(4), 336, 338(3), 340(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A Special Investigation Team was formed under the supervision of ACP Gaurav Singh. The investigation was led by Station House Officer Inspector Surendra Singh.
During the investigation, police identified and apprehended Bajpai, who allegedly impersonated a university staff member. His questioning during police custody reportedly provided investigators with information about the involvement of Sonu and Devender.
Following these disclosures, the investigation team used technical surveillance to trace the two alleged associates to Bhopal, where they were subsequently arrested.
The police are now examining the financial transactions linked to the case and attempting to determine how the alleged proceeds of the fraud were distributed or transferred.
DTU Warns Students Against Fake Admission Offers
An official from Delhi Technological University said the institution had been informed about the cheating case and had already taken steps to alert students about fraudulent admission claims.
The university clarified that admissions were not being offered through the fake advertisements or donations allegedly promoted by the accused.
The warning is particularly important for students and parents who may be under pressure to secure seats in competitive educational institutions. Admission-related fraudsters often exploit the urgency surrounding entrance examinations, counselling procedures and limited availability of seats to convince families to make payments.
The university’s clarification reinforces the importance of following official admission procedures and avoiding individuals who claim to have special access to seats in exchange for money.
Police Investigating Possible Additional Victims
Although three people have been arrested, the investigation remains underway. Police are working to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the alleged racket and determine whether additional families were cheated through similar admission promises.
Investigators are also attempting to trace the full amount of money allegedly collected through the operation and establish the individual roles of the three arrested suspects.
The possibility of additional victims has prompted police to examine the fake websites and online advertisements associated with the alleged network.
The case highlights the risks associated with unofficial admission offers and the growing misuse of digital platforms to target students and their families. Police have advised people to remain cautious of advertisements or individuals promising guaranteed admissions through personal contacts or unofficial payments.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to establish the full scale of the alleged fraud and determine whether the operation involved a wider network beyond the three arrested individuals.