72 Doctors Duped of Rs 2 Crore in Foreign Trip Bait

Mumbai: In a shocking case of fraud, 72 doctors from across India have been collectively duped of Rs 2 Crore by a man posing as a tour operator. The scam was orchestrated during a medical conference in Mumbai, where the accused lured the doctors under the guise of a dream vacation to Baku, Azerbaijan.

The incident occurred during the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) conference held in November 2024 at a five-star hotel in Powai. The event, attended by around 200 doctors, included a range of medical discussions, workshops, and social events. The accused, who claimed to be the founder of IRIS Global Media and an event organiser, attended the conference to network and promote his services.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, a police officer from Dadar police station said, “Through the society, the doctors keep themselves updated on medical practices, engage in social work, and arrange personal and family trips.”

To gain the doctors’ trust, the accused presented photographs of foreign trips he claimed to have organised previously, successfully convincing them. As a result, some of them recommended Baku, Azerbaijan, as their dream destination.

A WhatsApp group was set up to facilitate communication about the trip, which was expected to take place from May 18 to 24, 2025. The group grew quickly, with 88 doctors joining in. The accused presented the details of the trip: Rs 1.5 lakh per person, which would cover all expenses, including flights, visa charges, accommodation, and meals. Within weeks, 72 doctors had transferred a total of Rs 2.14 crore to Hegde's bank account.

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As per recent media reports by Hindustan Times, in no time, 72 doctors signed up for the trip and were asked to make the payment by April 7, 2025. The supposed trip was planned for May 18 to 24, said the police officer. The to-be vacationers transferred the fee into a bank account in the name of Hegde’s company – a total of ₹2.14 crore. He even gave them receipts!

The situation started to fall apart when, on April 7, the accused posted in the WhatsApp group, alleging that some of the doctors had made late payments and that their money would be refunded. This tactic, commonly used by scammers, was an attempt to rebuild trust. At first, some doctors were reassured by the return of ₹13.10 lakh, but soon, the remaining funds — nearly ₹2 crore — were not refunded despite repeated demands and reminders.

The doctors, led by Dr. Rohan Palshetkar, a prominent gynaecologist from Navi Mumbai, filed a formal complaint with the Dadar police station. Police have registered an offence under 318 (3) for cheating and 316 (2) for criminal breach of trust of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, against Hegde. The authorities are currently investigating the details of the scam, but as of now, the accused remains at large, with no arrests made.

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According to Hindustan Times, “We have registered a case based on the complaint of Dr Rohan Palshetkar, 36, a resident of Prabhadevi,” said a police officer.