In an alarming case of fraud, a gang in Noida managed to swindle parents out of more than Rs 31 lakh by luring them into enrolling their children in a fake coaching center offering courses in skill development. The criminals presented the academy as a premium training institute focused on emerging skills like Vedic Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Photogenic Memory. Their promise was to equip children with high-demand skills, but their actions revealed a much darker reality.
The story begins with a couple, Neeraj Kumar and his wife Shweta, who, along with two accomplices, Kanchan and Mohammad Aarif, set up the fraudulent coaching center under the name of “Rising India IQ Academy” in Greater Noida’s Bisrakh area. The accused ran this scheme by offering parents different packages—silver, gold, and platinum—for skill development, targeting children up to the age of 15. In a matter of months, the gang deceived several families, collecting hefty amounts from them, with promises that their children would soon become proficient in a variety of trending educational fields.
The Fraudulent Scheme
According to the Central Noida Police, the accused operated with precision and cunning. They sold courses under three distinct plans—Silver, Gold, and Platinum—charging parents Rs 25,000 for the silver plan, Rs 35,000 for the gold plan, and up to Rs 60,000 for the platinum plan. In exchange for the money, they promised a range of valuable courses that would help children excel in Vedic Mathematics, Robotics, Photogenic Memory, Spoken English, and even AI.
But these promises were never fulfilled. The victims were shown fake reviews and testimonials, which appeared to vouch for the quality of the academy. Enticed by these glowing reviews and the allure of these high-tech courses, parents enrolled their children, paying large sums for the plans. Initially, the accused even arranged for weekend classes, hiring teachers to deliver three-hour sessions. But soon after enrolling, parents began to see red flags.
The Deception Unfolds
After a few weeks, parents began noticing that the classes were not being conducted as promised. When they raised concerns, the accused gave them the excuse that the classes would soon be moved online. The delay in the online classes only fueled their doubts. As time passed, parents began demanding refunds, but to their horror, they discovered that the academy had shut down without notice.
In reality, the accused had run away with the money, absconding overnight. The parents, who had invested their hard-earned money in the hope of giving their children a bright future, were left with nothing. The police investigation revealed that, in total, the fraudulent gang managed to cheat parents of Rs 31.5 lakh. Authorities were able to recover 146 approval letters and payment receipts totaling Rs 8.19 lakh, which served as crucial evidence in the case.
The Investigation and Arrests
The case was reported to the Bisrakh Police Station after the affected parents filed an official complaint. The police launched a thorough investigation, which included electronic surveillance and local intelligence-gathering. The breakthrough came when the police received a tip-off that the gang members were planning to visit their office in Greater Noida to collect their documents.
Using this information, multiple police teams were dispatched to apprehend the suspects. Their hard work paid off when they managed to arrest Neeraj Kumar, his wife Shweta, Kanchan, and Mohammad Aarif. The police confirmed that the suspects had cleverly set up the fake academy with the intention of exploiting parents who wanted to give their children a competitive edge in emerging fields.
The Backstory of the Accused
Neeraj Kumar, one of the masterminds behind the scam, had a rather ordinary background. He completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in Jaipur in 2015. He then worked at a business process outsourcing (BPO) company before transitioning to the education sector. Initially, Kumar opened a center called “RI Kids Brain Developer” in Jagatpuri, Delhi, collaborating with some colleagues. However, due to the pandemic and the closure of educational institutions, the center shut down.
After the pandemic, Kumar began working for a tour and travel company, accumulating funds before opening the fraudulent academy in Greater Noida. His wife, Shweta, played a significant role in convincing parents to enroll their children in the courses. She worked as a counselor, using her persuasive skills to deceive parents into thinking that their children would gain highly valuable skills that would set them up for success in the future.
Precautionary Measures for Parents
This scam is a wake-up call for parents to be more cautious when enrolling their children in skill development courses. While the growing demand for specialized education in areas like AI, robotics, and Vedic Mathematics is undeniable, it’s essential to verify the legitimacy of the institutions offering such programs. Here are some precautionary steps parents can take to avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- Research the Institution: Before enrolling, parents should thoroughly research the coaching center. Check if it has a physical address, a legitimate website, and contact details. Look for reviews from multiple sources, and verify them with current or past students.
- Ask for Accreditation: Genuine educational institutions should have proper accreditation or approval from recognized boards or organizations. Parents should ask for documents that verify the authenticity of the courses and teaching staff.
- Avoid Upfront Payments: Be wary of institutions that demand large upfront payments for courses. A legitimate center will typically offer payment plans and not insist on full payments before classes begin.
- Check for Trial Classes: A trustworthy institution will often offer trial classes to help parents and students evaluate the quality of the program. This can be a good opportunity to judge the credibility of the training.
- Look for Transparent Communication: If an academy is transparent about its course content, faculty, and teaching methods, it is more likely to be trustworthy. Lack of clear communication or vague promises should raise red flags.
- Verify Teaching Staff: Check the qualifications and experience of the instructors. Genuine coaching centers often provide information about their staff and their credentials.
- Report Suspicious Centers: If you come across a suspicious coaching center, report it to the local authorities. This can help protect other families from falling victim to similar scams.
The Larger Issue of Fraud in Skill Development
This case highlights a growing concern in India— the increasing number of fraudulent skill development centers targeting parents who want the best for their children. The rise of online education, combined with the rapid expansion of skill-based learning programs, has created a new breeding ground for such scams. These centers often exploit parents’ desire for their children to excel in competitive fields like technology, robotics, and mathematics.
As the demand for skill development programs grows, it is crucial that educational authorities, parents, and even students remain vigilant. While there are genuine institutions that provide quality education, fraudsters are also capitalizing on this trend, making it essential to exercise caution before committing to any program.
Parents must be proactive in verifying the credibility of educational programs to ensure that they are not wasting their money and time on fraudulent schemes. The scam in Noida is not an isolated incident but rather a part of a larger pattern of exploitation that has affected many families. The authorities must continue to tighten regulations around educational institutions and penalize fraudsters to deter such scams from spreading further.
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