KEA data theft case: Company says its credentials are misused

Bengaluru: In a twist to the recent ‘data theft’ case in the name of Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) by allegedly impersonating its website reported last week, the ‘Medical Mentor’ company, which was alleged of fraudulent activity, has also filed a police complaint alleging even their credentials were misused by miscreants.

Founder and CEO of the Medical Mentor/Hello Mentor, Vikram Kumar, has filed a complaint even before the Cyber Crime police, saying that some unidentified individuals are impersonating their company.

“Our company, Hello Mentor Pvt Ltd and its brands Hello Mentor and Medical Mentor, have no affiliation with any fraudulent websites whatsoever. Our brand name is being misused in this context,” the complaint read.

Kumar further claimed that the act of impersonation and cheating facilitated through fraudulent means is creating confusion among prospective students and poses a tangible threat of harm to their academic pursuits.

“These deceptive practices are not only unethical and illegal, but are also actively damaging the hard-earned reputation and goodwill of our esteemed company. The integrity of our brand, built over years of dedicated service and commitment to quality education, is being undermined by these malicious activities,” he said in the complaint. 

He has made a request to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Last week, the KEA complained to the cybercrime police at the jurisdictional police station, along with the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and the screenshots it received from students after registering with the impersonated website of the KEA.

Following complaints from students and parents about it, the KEA authorities made their staff pose as students and register on the impersonated website. Subsequently, they received messages confirming their registration for the counselling organised at Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute in the name of ‘Medical Mentor’.