In a joint effort, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJP Yuva Morcha) and the Pune City Police have exposed the fraudulent practices of ‘My College Khoj,’ a company exploiting the aspirations of economically disadvantaged students aiming to pursue education abroad.
The company’s modus operandi involved enticing underprivileged students with promises of assistance for studying abroad. Once hooked, students were coerced into paying exorbitant amounts, including application fees, scholarship fees, visa application fees, incomplete document fees, and health insurance, among others.
Distressed students, realizing they were victims of a scam, sought help from Sushil Mengde, the state general secretary of BJP Yuva Morcha. Mengde promptly informed Pune Yuva Morcha officials, Omkar Kedari and Dushyant Mohol, who swiftly reported the matter to the authorities.
Under the leadership of Pune BJP president Dhiraj Ghate, a collective effort was made by Pradesh Yuva Morcha General Secretary Sushil Mengde, Yuva Morcha City president Karan Misal, and other office bearers. A formal complaint was submitted to the then Pune Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr on behalf of the affected students.
On February 2, officers from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Pune Police conducted a raid on the company’s office in Phoenix Mall, Viman Nagar. The operation resulted in the arrest of individuals caught red-handed with fake stamps and documents. The main accused is currently on the run, while the remaining members of the fraudulent team are in police custody, with investigations ongoing.
