In a significant breakthrough, Guwahati police arrested Robin Thomas, a fraudster from Southern India, for orchestrating a major scam targeting aspiring nursing students in Assam since 2016. The arrest took place on September 1, 2024, by Dispur police.
Robin Thomas, who was employed at the Critical Care Hospital and Research Institute in Lokhra, Guwahati, deceived nearly 80 women by offering them a fake General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course at the Bangalore College of Nursing. Over a period of three years, Thomas collected around Rs. 3 lakh from each victim, promising them legitimate nursing qualifications upon completion of the course.
After the completion of the course, the victims were issued fake certificates, with no real accreditation, leaving them unable to pursue careers in nursing. The total amount defrauded is estimated to be around Rs. 2.4 crores, which was funneled from Lokhra to Sarathi Hospital in Nalbari.
One of the victims shared their distress, saying, “We were promised a genuine GNM course and certificates. It was only when we sought legal help that the Guwahati Dispur police arrested Robin Thomas.”
Thomas is currently in police custody as the investigation continues. Authorities are working to identify and track down any accomplices involved in the scam. The arrest has been hailed as a significant step in addressing fraudulent educational practices in the region, and police are urging other potential victims to come forward.
The scam underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of educational programs and the credentials of institutions before making financial commitments.
