Fake website ‘impersonates’ KEA, collects information on students, schedules counseling session
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has filed a police complaint following an incident of a fraud website claiming to be that of KEA illegally obtaining information about students from various fields in the state.
The suspected people behind the fraudulent website ‘www-kcet.org’ had also scheduled a counseling session for the students on May 25 at the premier government medical college in the city Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), according to a report in the Deccan Herald.
The KEA has filed a complaint with cybercrime police, providing the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and the screenshots it received from students who had registered with the fake website.
The fraudulent activity reportedly came to light when KEA officials received calls from parents and students who wanted to know why KEA was asking for their mobile numbers and other details. Executive Director of KEA, H Prasanna, said that the details of the fraudulent website came to light when KEA probed the matter.
The ED said also said that a few KEA employees in the Computer section were directed to pose as students and register in the fake website. He added that the personnel then got messages confirming their registration for an event titled ‘Medical Expo 2025’ to be held at BMCRI between 8 am and 8 pm on May 25.
The organizers had posed as a company titled Medical Mentor and also misused the KEA logo. The KEA officer said that the fraudsters had been conducting similar events for several years to trap medical students by assuring the candidates seats and guidance. The KEA had also found that the candidates were charged Rs 30,000 each, he said and added that the events were being conducted at the BMRCI, with more than 1,000 students registering for the event. The ED said that top officials of the Medical Education Department had also been invited for such events.
The officer suspected the seat-blocking mafia to have played a major role in the fraudulent activities.
Prasanna, however, said that the KEA is yet to confirm the number of students who registered with the fake website. He added that students as well as parents would be warned not to share their details on any websites as KEA never did so.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
