September 12, 2025
Delhi, India
In a brazen cyber fraud that highlights the growing threats to India’s education sector, MIT World Peace University in Pune fell victim to a sophisticated scam, losing a staggering Rs 2.46 crore. The incident, which occurred between July 25 and August 7, 2025, involved fraudsters impersonating high-profile academics and government officials to lure university management with promises of lucrative research funding. This case serves as a stark reminder of how cybercriminals are targeting ambitious institutions with tailored schemes promising prestige and financial gains.
Key Points:
- The scam initiated with a seemingly legitimate message from an impersonated former vice-chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).
- Fraudsters posed as Dr. Chethan Kamath, a professor at IIT Bombay, to build credibility.
- The university’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or Chief Education Officer (CEO) was the primary contact, exploiting their role in seeking research collaborations.
- Total loss: Rs 2.46 crore transferred in three installments to mule bank accounts.
Fake Project Promises: From Drones to AI – The Lure of Government Funding
The fraudster’s pitch was irresistible: access to high-value government-backed research projects from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Starting with a drone technology project supposedly worth Rs 28 crore, the scammer demanded a 2% “eligibility fee” to secure the university’s participation. This was followed by similar demands for an AI technology project (Rs 23 crore) and a machine learning initiative (Rs 72 crore), each requiring upfront payments that the university hastily approved after internal discussions.
Key Points:
- First Payment (July 25): Rs 56 lakh for the Rs 28 crore drone project – transferred within three hours of the demand.
- Second Payment (July 30): Rs 46 lakh for the Rs 23 crore AI project.
- Third Payment (August 7): Rs 1.44 crore for the Rs 72 crore machine learning project.
- The impersonator demonstrated “technical know-how” during calls, making the proposals appear authentic and urgent.
- Promises included signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a visit to Pune on August 28, which never materialized.
Discovery of the Fraud: When Promises Turned to Suspicion
The scam unraveled when the promised in-person meeting failed to happen, and communication abruptly stopped on August 26. Suspicious university officials reached out to the real IIT Bombay professor, Dr. Chethan Kamath, who confirmed he had no involvement in any such projects. This revelation prompted immediate action: the university halted further transfers and filed a complaint with the Pune Cyber Police on the same day. An FIR was registered on September 6, 2025, after verification, launching a full investigation into the cybercrime.
Key Points:
- No-show on August 28 triggered verification with actual IIT Bombay authorities.
- The real professor denied any knowledge, exposing the identity theft.
- University PRO described the fraudster as “highly convincing,” with no initial red flags due to the scammer’s detailed technical discussions.
- Internal due diligence processes were in place, but the urgency and prestige of the offers overrode caution.
Police Investigation and Broader Implications for Cyber Security in Education
Pune’s Cyber Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Cyber, have taken swift action, tracing the financial transactions to multiple mule accounts. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on identifying the fraudsters, who likely operated from outside Maharashtra, possibly using international networks. This incident underscores a rising trend of cyber frauds targeting educational institutions, with similar cases reported involving fake investment schemes and impersonations. Experts warn that such scams exploit the pressure on universities to secure research grants amid competitive funding landscapes.
Key Points:
- FIR filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act for cheating and cyber fraud.
- Police confirmed the sequence of events and are working to freeze assets and apprehend suspects.
- Broader context: In 2024-2025, Pune alone saw over 128 high-value cyber fraud cases in the education and research sectors, with losses exceeding Rs 143 crore.
- University statement emphasizes adherence to SOPs for collaborations, vowing to enhance verification protocols.
Lessons from the Scam: Protecting Institutions from Cyber Threats in Research Funding
This high-profile fraud at MIT World Peace University highlights vulnerabilities in the pursuit of prestigious research partnerships. As Indian academia races towards innovation in AI, drones, and machine learning, scammers are adapting with sophisticated social engineering tactics. Key takeaways include verifying contacts through official channels, avoiding urgent payments, and implementing multi-level approvals for large transactions. With cybercrimes on the rise, educational bodies must prioritize cybersecurity training to safeguard their futures.
Key Points:
- Always cross-verify identities via official university or government websites, not provided contacts.
- Beware of “limited-time” offers demanding immediate fees for grants – legitimate funding doesn’t work that way.
- Use secure, audited channels for financial transactions and involve legal experts in MoU discussions.
- Report suspicions promptly to cybercrime portals like 1930 to aid recovery efforts.
- Rising trend: Similar scams have duped professors and institutions of crores through WhatsApp groups and fake apps, emphasizing the need for awareness campaigns.
Keywords: Pune university cyber scam, education news, cyber fraud education sector, NEP 2020
