Saharanpur Doctor Loses Lakhs to Ayushman Scam Gang: Police Seize Cash, Luxury Car After Cross-Country Chase

Authorities in Saharanpur have dismantled a cybercrime gang from Lucknow that allegedly defrauded Dr. Prabhat Kumar Verma, a surgeon, of nearly ₹90.59 lakh under the pretext of recovering pending claims from the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. Police recovered ₹7 lakh in cash and a luxury car purchased with the stolen funds following a cross-country investigation.

Details of the Scam

Dr. Verma, a resident of Janakpuri, lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Branch on November 11, 2024. According to police, the accused gained the doctor’s trust by offering to help recover pending payments for medical treatments conducted under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Over time, they siphoned off nearly ₹90.59 lakh into multiple accounts using fraudulent schemes.

Key Recoveries by Authorities

The cybercrime investigation initially froze ₹2.76 lakh in the accused’s bank accounts. Acting on leads from the main suspect, authorities recovered ₹7 lakh in cash from his residence. A Skoda luxury car, purchased with part of the stolen money, was also seized from a female accomplice linked to the gang. Previously, police had arrested Ankit Jaiswal, Abhay Sharma, and Vivek Sharma, all from Lucknow, and remanded them to judicial custody. Following a court order, the recovered cash was returned to Dr. Verma.

Police Advisory on Cyber Fraud

SP City Vyom Bindal urged the public to remain vigilant when dealing with online or telecommunication-based requests for money. He warned that cybercriminals often exploit official schemes and use plausible pretexts to defraud unsuspecting victims. Authorities emphasized the importance of verifying official channels before transferring funds, particularly in cases involving health or government benefit schemes.

This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal networks in India and underscores the need for public awareness and robust monitoring of financial transactions conducted online.