Mumbai MBA Student Loses Rs 24.64 Lakh To Fake Counsellor

A 21-year-old MBA student, Teerth Limani, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 24.64 lakh by an individual posing as a student counsellor. The accused, Alok Keshari, created fear in Limani's mind by threatening that he would be debarred from the institution and that his academic career would be at risk.

The incident occurred when Limani enrolled for an online MBA in Finance at an institute located in Vile Parle West for Distance and Online Learning in January 2026. He paid Rs 1.12 lakh in course fees and came into contact with Keshari, who introduced himself as an official employee and student counsellor of the institute.

Keshari appeared to be familiar with the admission process, due to which Limani trusted him. Limani shared his documents with Keshari, who allegedly assisted him in completing the admission process. As the examinations approached, Keshari called Limani and told him that he had been appointed as his official student counsellor.

In June 2026, Keshari provided Limani with bank account details and asked him to pay Rs 1,560 for the online examination. On June 14, while Limani was appearing for an online examination, he received an alert stating that cheating had been detected during the examination. Limani, who claimed that he had not cheated, contacted Keshari and informed him about the alert.

Keshari subsequently called Limani and asked whether he had cheated in the examination. When Limani denied cheating, Keshari allegedly began threatening him, claiming that he would be debarred from the institution and blacklisted for cheating. He allegedly further told Limani that he would not be able to secure admission to any other institution and that his academic career would be ruined.

Keshari then allegedly offered to settle the matter and demanded money from Limani. Believing him, Limani transferred money whenever Keshari demanded it. According to the police, Limani's father is a developer and frequently asked his son to carry out financial transactions. As a result, Limani had access to money in his account and, without informing his father, allegedly transferred the funds online to Keshari.

To gain Limani's trust, Keshari allegedly assured him that the money would be refunded if the matter could not be resolved. Limani subsequently transferred a total of Rs 24.64 lakh to Keshari. The Bangur Nagar police have registered a case against Keshari and are investigating the matter.

The incident highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of individuals claiming to be representatives of educational institutions. Students should be cautious when sharing personal and financial information with strangers, even if they claim to be official representatives.

The police are advising students to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The incident is a reminder that cybercrime and online fraud can have serious consequences, and it is essential to take necessary precautions to protect oneself from such threats.

In conclusion, the incident of the Mumbai MBA student being duped of Rs 24.64 lakh by a fake student counsellor is a serious concern. It highlights the need for students to be aware of the risks of online fraud and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The authorities are taking steps to investigate the matter and to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.