Fraud – Mumbai Police Arrest Woman in Overseas Education Scam Case
Fraud – The Charkop police in Mumbai have taken a woman into custody in connection with an alleged fraud involving an overseas education consultancy accused of misleading students and parents with false promises of university admissions abroad.
Arrest After Months of Evasion
The accused, identified as Shraddha Vitthal Gadekar, had reportedly been evading arrest for nearly five months before police tracked her down. Officials confirmed that she was apprehended following sustained surveillance and investigation. However, the primary accused in the case, Stella Rakesh Mehta and Rakesh Mehta, remain absconding. Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to locate the couple, who are believed to have played a central role in the alleged scheme.
Investigators also revealed that similar complaints have surfaced across multiple police stations in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane district. These complaints suggest a pattern of alleged cheating linked to education consultancy services.
Complaint Filed by Kandivali Resident
The case came to light after a Kandivali-based resident, Dr. Nehal Joshi, filed a formal complaint. According to the police, Joshi approached the consultancy firm, Career and Options, seeking assistance for his daughter’s admission to a Master of Trade and Logistics programme at Wittenborg University in the Netherlands.
As per the complaint, the consultancy assured the family that the admission process had been successfully completed. The accused allegedly instructed Joshi to transfer the required fees to the consultancy’s bank account, claiming it would be forwarded to the university.
Financial Loss and Discovery of Alleged Fraud
Trusting these assurances, Joshi reportedly secured an education loan and transferred more than ₹10 lakh to the firm. The situation took a serious turn when the university later informed the family that no payment had been received on their behalf.
This revelation raised suspicions and prompted the family to verify the claims made by the consultancy. Upon discovering discrepancies, they approached the police and lodged a complaint against the firm and its operators. The case details and complaint information are documented in the provided file .
Consultancy Office Found Closed
During the course of the investigation, police found that the consultancy office had been shut down abruptly. Officials stated that the accused had vacated the premises without notifying clients, leaving several families uncertain about their application status and financial transactions.
Authorities suspect that the firm may have used similar tactics to target multiple individuals seeking overseas education opportunities. This includes promising admissions, collecting fees, and then failing to process applications or transfer funds.
Ongoing Investigation and Wider Probe
Following Gadekar’s arrest, she was produced before a Borivali court. Police confirmed that further investigation is underway, and additional teams have been assigned to trace the remaining accused.
Officials are also examining whether more victims were affected by the same modus operandi. They are reviewing financial records, communication trails, and client databases associated with the consultancy to identify the full extent of the alleged fraud.
The case highlights the importance of verifying the credibility of education consultants and ensuring direct confirmation from universities before making financial commitments. Authorities have urged students and parents to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities related to overseas admission services