NEET Scam Alert: KEA Flags Fake Website Imitating Official Portal, Collecting Students Data
Karnataka- The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has recently filed a complaint after it found a fake website of KEA which collects personal information from students aspiring to join various professional courses, including the medical courses, in the state.. This fake website has reportedly been active since April 9.
The website appears in the online search for ‘KEA Home’ and asks for details such as the student’s name, mobile number, email, state and course. Once the students submit the details, the fake website also displays a “success” message on the screen.
After KEA came to know about the fake website, the institute filed a complaint at the Malleswaram police station. According to the complaint, "The fake website uses the same colour scheme, menu design, logo and homepage content as the official portal of KEA. It misleads students by making them believe that they are interacting with the genuine KEA platform for admission notifications and related services".
Based on the complaint, Malleswaram police have registered a case against unknown persons under the Information Technology Act. Meanwhile, KEA then clarified through its official website that it does not collect personal information through open web forms.
On this, KEA executive director H Prasanna, while speaking to the TOI, said that "This website is a complete copy of KEA. Our staff registered on the website and checked and found an invitation for a NEET counselling event to be held at the Bangalore Medical College auditorium. They collect data from students who register on the website. Parents and students should be wary of such websites."
The organisers had posed as a company called Medical Mentor and had also misused the KEA logo. The KEA official said that the fraudsters had been conducting similar programmes for several years by assuring medical students of seats and guidance. KEA also found that Rs 30,000 per candidate was charged from the candidates. Moreover, these programmes were also being organised at BMRCI, where more than 1,000 students had registered adds Deccan Herald.
The KEA is yet to ascertain the number of students who registered with the impersonated website. “We once again warn students and parents not to share their application number, CET number or mobile number with any websites. KEA will never ask for such details,” Prasanna said.
