A 19-year-old law student from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly running an Instagram-based scam that targeted NEET aspirants by selling AI-generated question sets falsely advertised as leaked examination papers.
The accused, Akshay Malviya, reportedly used generative artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, along with previous years’ NEET papers and publicly available study material to create PDF documents that were marketed as authentic exam papers.
According to the Indore Crime Branch, around 20 to 35 students may have paid between ₹50 and ₹200 through online payment platforms to access the material. The arrest followed intelligence inputs from authorities in Kota, Rajasthan.
Investigators have clarified that no genuine NEET question paper was recovered and that the accused had no access to the actual examination process.
The case comes amid heightened concerns over exam security, misinformation, and paper leak allegations surrounding NEET-UG, prompting renewed warnings from authorities for students to rely only on official sources.
Instagram Scam Targets Aspirants
The Indore Crime Branch arrested Akshay Malviya, a first-year law student and resident of the Lasudia area, after an investigation revealed that he had allegedly been operating a social media account claiming access to leaked NEET examination papers.
Police say the account advertised “exclusive” and “leaked” question papers ahead of the highly competitive medical entrance examination and directed students to make payments through UPI and other digital modes.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly adopted a low-cost strategy, charging aspirants between ₹50 and ₹200, making the offer appear believable and accessible to students anxious about securing admission to medical colleges. Officials believe this pricing model may have encouraged more students to take the risk of purchasing the material.
A senior Crime Branch officer stated that the investigation found no evidence of access to any original examination paper. “We arrested one person who was spreading false claims on Instagram that he had access to the NEET examination paper.
During investigation, it was found that he had no access to any original paper. He used AI tools, including ChatGPT, to generate questions and sold those question sets to students by presenting them as leaked papers,” the officer said.
Police have seized the accused’s mobile phone and other electronic devices and recovered social media conversations, PDF documents, and online transaction records.
Preliminary findings suggest that approximately 20 to 35 students may have transferred money to the accused. Authorities have registered a case under provisions of the Information Technology Act and other relevant legal sections, while digital forensic analysis is underway to determine the full extent of the operation.
AI, Misinformation and Exam Anxiety
Investigators say the PDFs sold to students were allegedly compiled using older NEET question papers, freely available educational resources, and generative AI tools capable of creating examination-style questions within minutes. The material was then packaged professionally and marketed as if it were confidential examination content.
The case highlights a growing challenge for students, parents, educators, and law enforcement agencies as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of generating convincing-looking content. While AI tools have emerged as valuable educational resources for learning, revision, and practice, experts warn that they can also be misused to create misleading or fraudulent material.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of examination security across India. NEET, one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations, has faced significant controversy over the past year due to allegations of paper leaks, organised cheating networks, and concerns about exam integrity.
Such controversies have created an environment where rumours of leaked papers spread rapidly through social media platforms, messaging groups, and online communities.
Authorities believe the accused may have exploited this atmosphere of uncertainty by presenting AI-generated content as leaked papers. Students already anxious about the examination may have found the claims credible, particularly as discussions around paper leaks have dominated headlines in recent months.
Law enforcement agencies across the country have repeatedly warned candidates against trusting social media accounts, Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, YouTube videos, or individuals claiming to possess confidential examination material.
Officials also noted that the investigation was intentionally kept confidential until after the examination process to avoid causing panic among candidates or disrupting the conduct of the test.
Investigators are now examining whether the accused acted independently or was connected to a larger network operating across multiple digital platforms. The case further raises questions about digital literacy and the ability of young users to distinguish between legitimate study resources and fabricated content designed to exploit their fears and ambitions.
As generative AI technologies become more sophisticated and accessible, experts believe educational institutions, technology platforms, and law enforcement agencies will need to develop stronger safeguards against emerging forms of academic fraud.
The incident serves as a reminder that examination-related misinformation can spread as quickly as genuine information, especially during periods of uncertainty surrounding high-stakes tests.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Indore case reflects a troubling intersection of technology, misinformation, and the immense pressure faced by students preparing for competitive examinations. While artificial intelligence has enormous potential to improve learning and make educational resources more accessible, its misuse can erode trust and create new avenues for exploitation.
Young aspirants often invest years of effort, emotional energy, and financial resources into examinations such as NEET, making them particularly vulnerable to promises of shortcuts and insider access. This incident underscores the importance of digital literacy, ethical technology use, and stronger oversight of fraudulent content circulating on social media platforms.
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