Fake hospital websites promising Rs 4Cr for organ donation: 3 foreign nationals arrested

Bengaluru: Police have busted a web scam that targetted patients in dire need of medical care through fake websites of prestigious hospitals in the city. Three foreign nationals have been arrested for running the scam, CEN police of Bengaluru South-East division said.

The accused have been identified as Nigerian nationals Miracle alias Mimi (28) and Sow Collins Ni (32), and Ghanian national Matthew Innocent alias Paul (38). Mobile phones, laptops, and other documents used by the accused in the crime have been confiscated, police added.

All the accused had come to India on a student visa but overstayed even after their visas expired, police said.

The scam came to light during the investigation of a complaint lodged by Mahendra Kumar, the Medical Director of Sagar Hospital in Jayanagar. The fake website in the hospital’s name had advertised patients in need of kidney transplants and the organ donors to contact them.

The investigation also revealed that the trio had opened more than 10 bogus websites of prestigious hospitals in the city, including Baptist hospital and Cauvery Hospital. They had published advertisements claiming to pay Rs 4 crores for the organ donors. They promised to pay half the amount in advance provided they received a 30 percent cut upfront.

Some had fallen for the trap and had paid the money to the bank account maintained by the trio.

Police have appealed to the victims of the scam to approach the nearby police station with the necessary details.