In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police apprehended Javed Khan, 30, and Shahrukh Ali, 29, in connection with a fake online PhD admission scam that defrauded multiple victims. Both suspects hail from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, with Javed Khan identified as the mastermind behind the operation.
The scam came to light after a woman filed a cyber financial fraud complaint. She had been attempting to pursue a PhD and came across Javed Khan through the website www.literateus.com. Believing the site to be legitimate, she transferred Rs 1,80,000 for a non-existent PhD admission and thesis services. When further funds were requested without receipts being provided, the woman grew suspicious and reported the incident to the police.
Following her complaint, Delhi Police launched an investigation and filed an FIR. Their probe into bank transactions, phone records, and website activity uncovered the fraudulent operation, leading to the tracing of funds to accounts owned by Javed Khan and Shahrukh Ali. Extensive cyber surveillance ultimately led to their arrest in Uttar Pradesh.
According to DCP Central M Harshavardhan, Javed Khan, a computer engineer with a background in IT networking, is accused of creating a fraudulent platform under the guise of helping individuals secure PhD admissions. Khan allegedly claimed to have partnerships with several universities, but the only institution linked to his operation was Glocal University, which has also been involved in other scams.
Javed and his accomplices are accused of issuing fake honorary doctorates and exploiting Glocal University’s name for personal gain. Shahrukh Ali is believed to have assisted in managing the financial side of the scam. Authorities seized a mobile phone, fake university receipts, and incriminating WhatsApp chats from the suspects.
The investigation has revealed that at least 15 individuals have fallen victim to the scam, with many paying large sums of money for false promises of PhD admissions. The police also mentioned that Javed Khan has a history of substance abuse, and his arrest occurred at a rehabilitation center in Noida.
Authorities continue to investigate and expect more victims to come forward as they uncover the full extent of the fraudulent operation.
