Russian man remotely hacked into JEE server to help students cheat, detained by CBI
The arrested 25-year-old Mikhail Shargin is a professional hacker, detained after he landed in Delhi.
Mikhail Shargin, a Russian national who was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation after he landed in Delhi on Monday, has been arrested by the federal probe agency for his alleged role in irregularities committed during the JEE (Mains) Exams 2021.
Mikhail Shargin, hacked into the software for the exam which was provided by world-renowned TCS or Tata Consultancy Services, said sources in the CBI this evening.
Mikhail, who was arriving from Almaty, Kazakhstan, was detained by the Bureau of Immigration at Delhi airport based on LoC (Look Out Circular) against him.
It is to be noted that this prestigious examination was held in the online mode amid a covid pandemic induced lockdown.
“During the investigation, it came to light that some foreign nationals were involved in compromising many online examinations, including JEE (Mains) colluding with other accused in the instant case. The role of one Russian national was revealed who had allegedly tampered with the iLeon software (the platform on which the JEE(Main)-2021 examination was conducted) and that he helped other accused in hacking the computer systems of suspect candidates during the examination. Therefore, a Look Out Circular was opened against the Russian national,” the CBI said.
As per the sources, Shargan hacked the TCS software, which the JEE was using as a platform to conduct exams to provide remote connectivity to take over the computer terminals of students appearing for the exam. To simplify, this means that through hacking, students will be able to cheat easily, as now the teachers or their coaches will be able to access their computers and give exams on their behalf.
An instance was reported of a private coaching centre in Uttar Pradesh named ‘Affinity Education’ that solved the question paper on behalf of students who paid the institute nearly $1227 to $1841.
A case was then registered by the CBI which conducted raids in different cities and seized laptops and other equipment that was used in the scam.
