The Belgaum Market police have arrested an inter-state fraudster, Arvind Aragonda, who was targeting students who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and deceiving them with false promises of securing medical seats despite low scores. Aragonda, hailing from Hyderabad and holding an MBA degree, has made a career of tricking people. He is accused of defrauding ten individuals in Belgaum alone, accumulating Rs 1.08 crore through his deceptive practices.
The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the mother of one of the deceived students from Belgavi. Utilizing technical evidence, the police tracked down Aragonda and brought him back to Belgaum. Upon his arrest, the police seized Rs 12 lakh in cash, 12 computers, and a laptop used in his fraudulent activities.
Arvind Aragonda established the NEET Counseling Center in Belagavi in 2023, hiring a team of ten telecallers to assist in his scheme. He assured parents and students over the phone that he could secure medical seats despite their low NEET scores. Once he collected the money from his victims, he closed the office and fled to Mumbai, leaving the victims without the promised medical seats and out of substantial amounts of money.
The police, acting on the complaint and technical evidence, apprehended Aragonda in Mumbai. He was in the process of setting up another fraudulent NEET counselling centre there, aiming to trap more unsuspecting students and parents. His arrest has potentially prevented further scams.
The seized items from Aragonda include Rs 12 lakh in cash, likely part of the funds obtained through his fraudulent activities, along with 12 computers and a laptop used to manage his operations. These materials will be instrumental in the ongoing investigation.
Aragonda’s fraudulent activities were not limited to Belagavi. Cases have been registered against him in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bengaluru. To evade capture, Aragonda frequently changed his phone numbers, addresses, and even his Aadhaar card details. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in curbing such scams that prey on students’ aspirations and the trust of their families.
The Belagavi Market police have warned parents and students to be cautious of such scams. They urged individuals to verify the authenticity of counselling centres and not fall prey to promises of guaranteed seats, especially those requiring substantial financial payments upfront.
The police are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of Aragonda’s fraudulent network and to trace the remaining funds. They are also coordinating with law enforcement agencies in other states to address the cases registered against him and prevent similar scams in the future. Arvind Aragonda’s arrest is a cautionary tale about the importance of due diligence and scepticism when dealing with educational counselling services. The police have assured the public that they will remain vigilant in protecting students and their families from such deceitful practices.
