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Pune police have uncovered a shocking case of cyber fraud involving a highly educated engineer who allegedly cheated a private university of ₹2.46 crore by posing as an IIT Bombay professor. The accused, identified as 34-year-old Seetayya Kilaru from Hyderabad, holds a PhD from a UK university and reportedly convinced the institution to transfer the large sum under the pretext of securing a lucrative project.

The Deceptive Scheme

According to officials, the fraud took place between July and August 2025. Kilaru approached a private university in Pune claiming to be a professor at the prestigious IIT Bombay. He promised to help the university obtain a major academic project and, to build trust, presented impressive credentials, including a PhD in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from a UK university. On the strength of these claims, the university allegedly transferred a total of ₹2.46 crore into multiple bank accounts controlled by the accused.

A Profile of False Prestige

Investigators revealed that Kilaru is a resident of Yapral in Hyderabad and a highly qualified electronics engineer. Along with his foreign doctorate, he claimed to have cleared both the preliminary and mains stages of the UPSC civil services examination in 2019–2020. Using these achievements to bolster his credibility, he reportedly convinced university officials that he had the connections and expertise to facilitate a high-value project in collaboration with IIT Bombay.

Arrest and Investigation

The elaborate scam came to light after university representatives grew suspicious of delays and inconsistencies in Kilaru’s communication. A formal complaint was filed with Pune police, who launched a swift investigation. Following digital tracking of bank transactions and communication records, a police team traced Kilaru to Hyderabad, where he was arrested on 21 September 2025.

He was subsequently presented in court and remanded to police custody until 28 September for further interrogation. Authorities are now examining his financial records, electronic devices, and potential accomplices to uncover the full extent of the network involved.

Lessons from the Case

This incident underscores the growing threat of sophisticated white-collar cybercrime in India, where perpetrators exploit trust, academic reputations, and digital banking systems to execute large-scale fraud. Pune police have urged educational institutions and other organizations to conduct rigorous verification of credentials, especially when large financial transactions are involved.

Advisory for Institutions

Experts recommend that universities and private organizations implement strict due diligence procedures, including:

• Independent verification of academic and professional claims through official channels.

• Secure payment practices with multi-level approvals for large transfers.

• Regular audits of ongoing projects and collaborations to identify irregularities early.

The Pune police investigation continues as authorities attempt to trace the diverted funds and determine whether Kilaru acted alone or was part of a larger fraud network.

This case serves as a reminder that even the most credible profiles can be fabricated, making careful verification crucial in today’s increasingly digital and interconnected academic and corporate environments.

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