A major admission fraud targeting Symbiosis International University has come to light, with cyber criminals allegedly using fake identities and YouTube advertisements to lure students. An FIR was lodged on April 2 at Deccan Police Station by an HR official from the university.

The scam first came to notice on February 14, 2025, when the complainant saw a misleading advertisement on a YouTube page. The video falsely used the Symbiosis logo and building image, offering “direct admission” into the MBA 2025 course at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune. A contact number was also displayed, promising details about the “complete budget” for admission.

Symbiosis officials alerted the SIBM director and launched an internal inquiry. They took help from a female student who contacted the number. Though there was no initial response, the same number later messaged her on WhatsApp. She was offered admission for Rs 51 lakh, with an additional Rs 20 lakh as “donation/capitation.”

In the following days, she received more calls from different numbers. One man promised a spot on the merit list in exchange for Rs 5 lakh and original documents. She was also told the donation would increase with delay.

On March 30, Symbiosis staffers visited a plush office in Baner, where a man claiming to be an “authorized representative” demanded Rs 5 lakh and promised official admission emails.

The university reported the incident, and police registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act. The case is now with the Pune Crime Branch. Police believe fake identities were used, and a multi-state investigation is underway.

Symbiosis clarified it follows a transparent SNAP-based admission process and does not appoint agents.