Mumbai: In a shocking case a 72 doctors were duped of over Rs 2 crore by a man posing as a tour operator who promised them an exotic vacation to Baku, Azerbaijan. The scammer, identified as Sharad Hegde, reportedly targeted the group during a high-profile medical conference held in November 2024 at a five-star hotel in Powai.
According to the police, the doctors were attending a conference organised by the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). The event, which drew over 200 medical professionals from across the country, focused on advancements in medical practices and also featured social and recreational engagements, as per Hindustan Times report.
On the final day of the conference, November 17, 2024. Hegde introduced himself as the founder of a company named IRIS Global Media, claiming to be an event manager who also specialized in organizing international group tours. To gain the trust of the attendees, he displayed photos of foreign trips he claimed to have organised in the past.
Several doctors expressed interest in planning a vacation, eventually settling on Baku as the destination. A WhatsApp group was created for coordination, and a total of 88 doctors joined the group to plan the getaway, as per report.
Hegde promised to share a detailed itinerary within a week and soon quoted a price of Rs 1.5 lakh per person, which would cover travel, visa, accommodation, and other expenses. By April 7, 2025, 72 doctors had transferred a total of Rs 2.14 crore to a bank account under Hegde’s company. Receipts were issued, and the trip was scheduled for May 18 to 24. However, after receiving the payments, Hegde stopped responding, raising suspicions among the group members.
The case was reported to the Dadar Police, who have now launched a full investigation. “The doctors were promised a luxurious foreign trip, but the accused vanished after collecting the money. We're tracing the financial trail and trying to locate him,” said a police official, as per report.
Following a complaint, police registered a case against Hegde under sections 318(3) for cheating and 316(2) for criminal breach of trust of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Investigations into the fraud are currently underway, but Hegde has not yet been arrested.
