'Send money now': Fake doctor at Bhopal's Hamidia Hospital preyed on families of critical patients using fear

• Fake doctor scammed families at Hamidia Hospital for faster treatment and tests
• Hospital staff allegedly leaked patient info for a commission, aiding the scam
• Police arrested the accused and are probing involvement of more staff members

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Bhopal Police have uncovered a major fraud case at Hamidia Hospital, where a man posing as a doctor cheated families of critically ill patients by demanding money for faster treatment and medical tests.

The accused allegedly received inside information from hospital staff, allowing him to approach patients’ relatives with convincing details. At least 10 families are suspected to have been targeted since January, though only three have officially complained so far.

How did he execute the scam?

The fraud came to light after relatives of patients admitted to Hamidia Hospital began receiving phone calls demanding money. The caller claimed to be a doctor and warned that the patient’s condition was serious and immediate payment was needed for tests or better treatment. In some cases, the accused even met families inside the hospital.

Police said the accused, identified as Jitendra Khagre, used fear as his main weapon. He would tell families that delays could be fatal and pressure them to send money quickly through QR codes. The calls were short, urgent, and emotionally charged, leaving families little time to think or verify the claims.

Police officials believe the scam worked because Khagre had accurate information about patients, including ward numbers, medical conditions, and contact details of relatives.

The role of hospital staff in fraud

According to the police, the fraud could not have happened without help from inside the hospital. Officials suspect that some hospital staff leaked confidential patient information to Khagre in exchange for money. The staff members were allegedly paid a 20 per cent commission for every successful transaction, NDTV reported citing sources.

So far, seven hospital staff members are under suspicion. Their identities have not yet been officially confirmed, and questioning is ongoing. Police said departments such as Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Emergency Medicine were most affected, as these units deal with high-risk and emotionally sensitive cases.

Officials said the accused carefully selected families who were already under stress, making them more likely to comply with his demands without questioning.

Victims describe similar pattern

In one case, a family told police that their child, who had a hole in the heart, was admitted to Hamidia Hospital. The accused not only called them but also met them inside the hospital, posing as a doctor. This personal interaction removed any suspicion.

An audio recording obtained during the investigation reveals how desperation was exploited. "Give me 10 thousand rupees... I will get the echocardiogram done," says Kharge in the call. When the child's father tells him that they won't get a turn for a month, Kharge says, "Leave all that. Do what I say. I'll get it done immediately. I'll help you later, too. I'll arrange a free ambulance to take you home. Send the money by 1.30 pm. If you want, I can send the barcode." The child's father then assures of sending the money.

Several families transferred money, ranging from a few thousand rupees to Rs 20,000. After the payment, the calls stopped and the phone numbers were often blocked. In just three reported cases, more than Rs 30,000 was lost.

After repeated complaints, the hospital superintendent informed the police. Cyber teams tracked the accused’s phone activity for three days before arresting him from Indore. He was then brought to Bhopal and booked for impersonation and cheating.

Chief Superintendent of Police Anil Bajpai confirmed the arrest and said the accused admitted that hospital employees provided him with information. Police are now investigating whether the fraud was carried out by a larger gang.