12 Doctors Defrauded in 50% Profit Scam: ₹5.24 Crore Ambulance Fraud in Hospital, Accused Dr. Hardik Arrested

In a recent development, Surat has witnessed a significant case of fraud in the ambulance business, where 12 doctors were deceived of ₹5.24 crores with promises of 50% profit. The investigation into this case is being conducted by the Economic Offenses Cell (ECO Cell). 

Dr. Hardik Patwa, the primary accused, has been apprehended by the Surat ECO Cell. The scam involved three accused, including a doctor from SMIMER Hospital.

A doctor from the municipally managed SMIMER Hospital, along with two accomplices, had fraudulently persuaded 13 individuals, including 12 doctors, to invest in the ambulance business with promises of 50% profit, resulting in a ₹5.24 crore scam. Dr. Kapil Arvind Shahan, a 37-year-old tutor in the Biochemistry Department at SMIMER Hospital, lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch. 

Based on his complaint, the police have filed a case against Dr. Hardik Ramesh Patwa, his associates Hemant Dahya Parmar, and Mayur Valmiki Goswami. The ECO Cell has now successfully arrested the primary suspect, Dr. Hardik Patwa, in connection with this fraud.

Background of the Ambulance Fraud: Connection Between Doctors

Dr. Kapil Shahan, who served as a tutor at SMIMER Hospital, and the accused Dr. Hardik Patwa were both MBBS students at SMIMER Hospital from 2004 to 2009, during which time they developed a friendship. Both doctors later returned to SMIMER Hospital as tutors.

In 2021, Dr. Hardik Patwa launched an ambulance business in partnership under the names Sunshine and Young’s Ambulance Services. At that time, Dr. Patwa proposed to Dr. Kapil Shahan to invest in this ambulance business, promising a 50% profit. Subsequently, Dr. Patwa also discussed the need for 12 ambulances with a Maharashtra-based company, mentioning a tender requirement.

Fraudulent Promise of 50% Profit Leads to ₹5.24 Crore Scam

Dr. Hardik Patwa made an enticing offer to doctors, promising a 50% profit on investments in the ambulance business, while retaining the remaining 50% for himself. He lured doctors by claiming that transporting patients between states could yield ₹1 lakh per trip, creating a false sense of high earnings. 

As a result, 13 individuals, including 12 doctors and one doctor’s wife, were deceived, leading to a total scam of ₹5.24 crores.

In August 2021, Dr. Hardik Patwa, who was serving as a teacher at SMIMER, discussed the investment opportunity with a complainant. Dr. Patwa, along with his two partners, Hemant Dahya Parmar and Mayur Valmiki Goswami, promised substantial profits by renting out ambulances. 

He assured the complainant that if they invested, they would receive 50% of the profit, while the remaining 50% would be kept by the business. Despite these promises, Dr. Hardik Patwa fled, and the police have filed a case against the three accused.

Temptation of ₹1 Lakh per Trip: How the Ambulance Fraud Unfolded

The accused promised lucrative returns from the ambulance business under the names Sunshine Ambulance Service and Young’s Ambulance Service. They even presented a service order from J.S.W. Steel Limited, claiming it included a contract for 8 ambulances. They enticed potential investors by stating that transporting patients out of Gujarat could earn ₹1 lakh per trip.

Dr. Kapil Shahan, after being approached by the accused, shared the details of the investment opportunity with his friend Dr. Keyur Prajapati and informed other colleagues as well. Dr. Shahan and Dr. Prajapati held a meeting with Dr. Hardik Patwa, during which Hardik and his partners persuaded them by claiming that investing in just 8 ambulances could yield a profit of ₹3.46 crores. This allure of significant returns led them to invest, ultimately contributing to the fraudulent scheme.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation in Ambulance Fraud Case

Previously, two ambulance operators, Hemant Parmar and Mayur Goswami, were arrested in connection with this fraud. Dr. Kapil Shahan, Dr. Keyur Prajapati, and 11 others expressed interest in investing in the ambulance business. 

Dr. Hardik Patwa and his two partners, Hemant Dahyabhai Parmar and Mayur Valmiki, collectively obtained ₹5.24 crores for purchasing ambulances and placing them under contract at various locations. However, the three accused later absconded, using the funds for personal purposes instead of investing them in the business.

A complaint was filed with the Crime Branch, and the investigation was handed over to the Surat Economic Offenses Cell (ECO Cell). The arrested ambulance operators, Hemant Parmar and Mayur Goswami, had fraudulently taken ₹5.24 crores under the pretense of placing ambulances under contract and then absconded, misusing the funds for personal gain rather than the intended business purposes. The investigation is ongoing to uncover further details.