A new scam involving students pursuing certificates in cybersecurity courses has surfaced, shedding light on illegal practices that affect innocent netizens. The fraud has claimed up to Rs 52 lakhs from a total of 40 students. The Utran police have registered an FIR against a Mumbai-based educational institute, “Boston Institute of Analytics Global Education Pvt Ltd,” along with its local franchise in Surat.
The students were allegedly lured with promises of advanced professional courses in fields such as cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and data science. The fraud scam allegedly promised lucrative on-the-job training and internship opportunities, none of which ever materialised.
How the scam unfolded
The complaint was filed by Heersagar Chandera, 25, who operates a security agency in Varachha. According to the FIR, Chandera first encountered the institute through its Instagram page in August 2024. The page prominently advertised certificate, diploma, and master’s courses in high-demand technology fields, with fees ranging from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.55 lakh.
After contacting the number provided on the Instagram page, Chandera was invited to visit the institute’s Surat branch in the Utran area. He met Kevil Patel, the franchise head, who allegedly convinced him to enroll in a six-month master’s course for Rs 1.55 lakh. It is said that Patel assured Chandera of comprehensive hands-on training and guaranteed internship placements upon course completion.
Chandera paid the full course fee and commenced his studies. However, his experience took a negative turn within two months when the Surat branch abruptly ceased its operations. Upon inquiring about the promised internship, Patel directed him to officials at the Mumbai head office. He was tasked to meet Ashwin Meshram, Sufia Khan, and Vijay Doifode, who allegedly were responsible for handling placements and certificate issuance.
However, Chandera discovered the fraud when he learned that 39 other students had fallen victim to the same scheme. Despite having paid substantial amounts, none of these students had received the promised training, internships, or course completion certificates.
Students turned to the police for help
After repeated attempts to contact the Mumbai office proved futile, the group of 40 students formally lodged a complaint with the police, which led to the ongoing investigation.
The owners and administrators of the Mumbai-based institute are among those booked in connection with the scam.
