Lucknow | In a sensational crackdown, Lucknow Cyber Crime Police have arrested two key operatives of a massive NEET/MBBS admission fraud racket that has been active for over 14 years across multiple states. The accused — Premshankar alias Abhinav Sharma and Santosh Kumar — were arrested from near Kathauta Jheel in Chinhat after a family complained of being cheated of ₹1.26 crore on the pretext of securing NEET clearance and guaranteed medical college admission in Barabanki and Sitapur.
What unfolded during interrogation shocked investigators: the duo had allegedly swindled over ₹100 crore from unsuspecting parents across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Gujarat. Police describe the racket as a “corporate model of organised fraud” — complete with fake offices, 50 employees, luxury cars and meticulously staged counselling sessions.
Ran a Nationwide Racket — Even From Inside Jail
According to DCP Crime Kamlesh Dixit, mastermind Premshankar is a B.Tech graduate from GLA University, Mathura. He began earning commissions by arranging admissions during college, eventually building a full-fledged fake consultancy network.
Despite spending six years in Bihar’s Beur Jail for previous cheating cases, he continued running the racket from behind bars. He reportedly conducted fake counselling over the phone and expanded his network, where he met co-accused Santosh.
Police said the duo devised a plan: Santosh would first secure bail and start operating outside using his ID proofs, while Premshankar continued directing operations from jail.
Luxury Lifestyle Built on Fraud
With the money collected from desperate parents, the accused created an extravagant lifestyle:
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A ₹5 crore bungalow in Aurangabad
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High-value properties in Banaras and Bihar
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Heavy investment in jewellery in Lucknow
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Imported luxury items in all his residences
Police revealed that Premshankar travelled in a private luxury car to impress clients, maintained a corporate-style office with strict protocols, and ensured clients handed over mobile phones before counselling meetings to prevent suspicion.
Serial Offender Who Fled by Jumping Off a Train
In 2024, while being transported for a court hearing in Saharanpur, Premshankar escaped police custody by jumping from a moving train. Since then, he had been hiding in hotels using fake identities and even opened another consultancy office in Lucknow during his absconding period.
Investigators said he used a deceptive formula:
cheat first, then negotiate.
Once victims approached police, he would return a fraction of the money to settle the complaint and get the case withdrawn — allowing him to continue the scam.
Crucial Lead From Movers & Packers Exposes Hideout
The breakthrough came when police tracked a clue from a movers-and-packers company, which recently shifted items linked to a suspected hideout. This led investigators to a new location where the accused was nabbed.
Before arrest, Premshankar was reportedly planning to surrender after clearing multiple cases using the money he had stashed.
School Franchise Scam With Bollywood Connection
In another shocking revelation, police said Premshankar had planned to open a chain of DPS Junior Prep Schools. For promotions:
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Actor Govinda was invited to a Patna event
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Actress Preity Zinta attended a programme in Varanasi
The accused allegedly sold 70 school franchises, collecting around ₹3 lakh each, and further extorted money for uniforms and study materials.
A Corporate Scam Hidden in Plain Sight
Investigators describe the operation as highly sophisticated:
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50 employees trained to behave like corporate staff
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Controlled office movement
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Fake admission letters & counselling teams
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Luxury vehicles for client confidence
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Multiple shell consultancies that shut down after collecting money
“Parents built trust in just 10 minutes of conversation with him. He spoke like an expert counsellor,” a police official said.
Police Continue Investigations
Lucknow Police are now identifying links across states to locate other victims and recover properties bought through fraudulent earnings. Officials have appealed to families who paid the accused for admissions or counselling to come forward.
Premshankar and Santosh have been booked under multiple sections of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and cyber fraud.
Police say the racket is one of the largest NEET admission scams uncovered in recent years — one that combined deception, technology and corporate-level operations to exploit the hopes of thousands of parents.
