How inter-state fraudsters used Telegram channels to sell fake question papers to aspirants

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested the alleged kingpin of Bihar of an inter-state online fraud racket that cheated competitive examination aspirants by falsely claiming access to leaked question papers through Telegram channels.The accused, identified as Om Kumar (30), son of Sagar Sao and a resident of West Pandarak in Patna district of Bihar, was arrested from Lucknow on June 6. Two mobile phones and two Aadhaar cards were recovered from his possession.Dy SP, STF, DK Shahi, the accused and his associates had been operating a network of fake Telegram channels claiming to provide leaked question papers and answer keys for various competitive examinations conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and other states.Fake Paper Leak Claims Used to Target AspirantsDy SP Shahi said the gang created Telegram channels under names such as "Paper Leak", "UP CNET OUT QUESTION PRIVATE CHANNEL", "@Gauravsirofficials" and "@Youandmooon", where they falsely advertised access to examination papers a day before scheduled tests.The racket particularly targeted candidates preparing for government recruitment and professional entrance examinations. Aspirants were promised question papers and answer keys in exchange for payments ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.Shahi added, multiple QR codes were circulated through the Telegram channels, and candidates were instructed to transfer money to specified bank accounts to obtain the purported leaked papers.UP CNET Examination Triggered InvestigationThe investigation gained momentum after complaints surfaced regarding fraudulent claims linked to the UP CNET examination conducted by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow.Authorities found that fake Telegram channels were falsely claiming to possess leaked UP CNET question papers and were collecting money from candidates on the promise of providing examination material before the test.Following a complaint by the examination controller of the university, a case was registered at Sushant Golf City police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.Modus OperandiDuring interrogation, Om Kumar allegedly admitted that he and his associates had been running the scam since 2022.According to STF officials, the gang deliberately demanded relatively small amounts—typically between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000—from candidates. The strategy was designed to make the offer appear credible while ensuring that victims were less likely to lodge police complaints after being cheated.Investigators said the accused would create Telegram channels ahead of major examinations and claim that question papers had been leaked. Candidates who believed the claims transferred money through QR codes provided on the channels.Once the examination was over, the gang would shut down the channel and create new ones in the name of upcoming examinations, repeating the same fraud cycle.Police said no actual question papers were leaked, and the operation was purely a cyber-enabled cheating racket aimed at exploiting the anxiety and desperation of examination candidates.Digital Evidence Leads to ArrestSTF officers conducting digital surveillance traced financial transactions and Telegram activity linked to channels operated by Om Kumar. Investigators found evidence indicating that money collected from candidates was being routed through accounts connected to the accused.Based on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, STF personnel brought Om Kumar from Bihar to Lucknow for questioning. After examining his mobile phones and digital records, investigators formally arrested him in the case.Wider Network Under ScannerOfficials believe the arrested accused may be part of a larger network involved in spreading false paper leak rumours and cheating aspirants across multiple states.STF said efforts are underway to identify and arrest other members of the racket as well as similar gangs operating through social media platforms and encrypted messaging applications.The accused has been handed over to local police for further legal proceedings. Investigators are analysing financial records, mobile data and online accounts to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify additional victims.