Gujarat Police and the National Testing Agency (NTA) foiled a cyber fraud attempt targeting NEET UG 2026 candidates. A 19-year-old student from Bihar was arrested in connection with the scheme.
Cyber Fraud Scheme Uncovered
The Cyber Crime Branch of Ahmedabad City Police, in collaboration with the NTA, apprehended Navinkumar Shankar Prasad Yadav. He is accused of attempting to divert fee refund amounts meant for NEET UG 2026 applicants into his personal bank accounts. The arrest followed a thorough investigation by the police.
Authorities allege Yadav illegally accessed the NEET UG 2026 website. He used credentials obtained through unauthorized means. The suspect then attempted to alter the bank account details of candidates eligible for fee refunds. This aimed to redirect funds to his own accounts.
Scope of the Attack
Police reported that the accused targeted approximately 350 candidate accounts. He successfully breached around 150 of these accounts. This breach was attributed to weak or easily guessable passwords used by some candidates.
Yadav allegedly used the compromised credentials to log into the NTA portal. He then identified candidates eligible for fee refunds. The plan involved changing the registered bank details to his own. This would divert the refund money.
The operation highlighted significant cybersecurity risks. These risks are linked to poor password practices among users. The NTA's security systems played a crucial role in detecting the fraudulent activity.
Preventative Measures and Warnings
Police expressed concern about exam-related cheating. They emphasized the importance of secure computer systems for examinations. Authorities are advising candidates against using easily guessable passwords. Examples include birthdays or phone numbers.
Candidates are strongly urged not to share login credentials. They should also safeguard One-Time Passwords (OTPs) received on their phones. The NTA portal should only be used for official exam-related purposes.
The collaboration between Gujarat Police and the NTA successfully prevented financial loss to candidates. Both organizations are committed to enhancing the security of the NEET examination process against cyber fraud.
