Fake FMGE scorecards, certificates: Maharashtra cyber police arrest 3 in interstate racket
Mumbai: Maharashtra Cyber Police have busted an interstate network allegedly involved in creating fake Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) scorecards, certificates, and other documents for medical graduates from abroad seeking to practice medicine in India.
So far, three people have been arrested in this case, including two FMGs and a key operative of the interstate network. The first two accused are FMG applicants who allegedly failed to clear the prescribed screening test, i.e., the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE). Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that both these FMGs were from Buldhana district.
India Today reported that investigators later traced digital and transactional links to a resident of Nashik district, identified as 35-year-old man, suspected to be a key operative of the alleged interstate network.
Fake Document Racket made 15-20 more certificates:
The investigation has reportedly revealed that the accused man allegedly generated and facilitated the preparation of fake examination scorecards, certificates and other supporting documents for around 15-20 applicants in exchange for money.
Police have arrested the accused and are questioning him to establish the wider network involved in preparing, transmitting, submitting and using the forged documents.
Further, Maharashtra Cyber police are also examining the financial transactions, digital devices, communication records and other technical evidence to identify additional people who may have been involved in the racket. Besides, the investigators are also trying to determine the full extent of the alleged operation.
How did the matter come to light?
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the matter came to light on August 7 when the council computer operator and senior clerk noticed suspicious documents in the online profiles of some of the FMGs. Allegedly, these candidates had not cleared the FMGE screening test, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
Maharashtra Medical Council Registrar Rakesh Waghmare reportedly checked the login profiles of the candidates who had failed to clear the FMGE test and were temporarily registered on the Council's online portal.
He allegedly found fake and suspicious documents uploaded in the profiles of 22 candidates. When Waghmare informed the state medical council administrator, Dr. Vinky Rughwani, about this, he directed Waghmare to approach the cyber police.
In the complaint filed by the MMC Registrar, it was also alleged that the accused candidates created or uploaded forged and suspicious documents through the FMG Council's online portal with the intention to secure registration. Waghmare further submitted that the documents and other material available with the medical council to the investigating agency.
Reportedly, during the verification process, the Medical Council identified more than 30 such candidates. The Nodal Cyber Police Station was conducting an investigation into the alleged forgery, unauthorised access and use of the online registration system.
Recently, two out of 22 candidates have been arrested, and they were remanded to four days' police custody by the Court. Now, police have also arrested an alleged key operative of the interstate network.
Cyber Police Warns FMGs:
India Today has reported that Maharashtra Cyber has warned medical graduates from abroad and other applicants seeking professional registration against using intermediaries who boast their ability to bypass mandatory screening test and other requirements and claim to be able to arrange registration through forged documents.
Advising applicants to follow all statutory and regulatory requirements, the agency has warned that submitting fabricated documents or misusing digital platforms to obtain professional registration can lead to stringent legal action.
The agency further said that it would continue to act against cyber-enabled fraud, document forgery and attempts to circumvent statutory requirements through digital means.
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