Fake doctor duped patient families using QR code payments at Hamidia Hospital

Bhopal: A man posing as a doctor has orchestrated a hospital-linked fraud, targeting families of critically ill patients at Hamidia Hospital, Madhya Pradesh’s largest government medical facility. Since January, at least 10 families are believed to have been duped, though only three have lodged complaints, revealing losses of over Rs 30,000.

According to the news reports, investigators revealed that the fraud relied heavily on insider leaks. Hospital staff allegedly supplied patient details, ward numbers, medical conditions, addresses, treatment updates, and relatives’ phone numbers to the conman, who posed as a doctor. The accused reportedly paid a 20% commission to staff members for providing information.

Armed with accurate medical data, the accused would contact families, claiming the patient was in danger, promising expedited tests or “better treatment,” and push a QR code for immediate payment. His calls were urgent, convincing, and often effective.

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According to NDTV, the accused said, "Give me ten thousand rupees... I will get the echocardiogram done," says the accused in the call. When the child's father tells him that they won't get a turn for a month, the accused says, "Leave all that. Do what I say. I'll get it done immediately. I'll help you later, too. I'll arrange a free ambulance to take you home. Send the money by 1.30 pm. If you want, I can send the barcode." The child's father then assures of sending the money. In another call, the accused is heard saying bluntly, "Mother and child are in danger. Send the money immediately."

Other victims reported similar experiences. In one case, Rs 20,000 was transferred online and in another case, a man sent Rs 10,999 after repeated calls claiming that his pregnant wife and newborn were at risk. A third victim paid Rs 5,000 after a caller, posing as “Dr Arnav,” claimed his wife had liver swelling. These three cases alone account for over Rs 30,000 in fraudulent payments.

The scam primarily targeted high-stress departments, including Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Emergency Medicine. So far, seven hospital staff members are suspected of involvement, though formal identities have not been confirmed. Investigators noted that without internal assistance, the fraud would not have been possible.

Following repeated complaints, hospital authorities alerted police. Cybercrime teams tracked the accused’s phone for three days, eventually arresting him in Indore and bringing him to Bhopal. He has been booked for impersonation and fraud, while the wider network is under investigation.

Confirming the arrest, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Anil Bajpai said, "We have arrested one person who used to contact the relatives of patients admitted to Hamidia Hospital, posing as a doctor, and defrauding them. We received a complaint from the superintendent, based on which the Kohefiza police station and the Crime Branch team made the arrest. In his statement, he said that hospital employees provided him with information. It is possible that they were working as a gang," reports NDTV.

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