Goa varsity sets out to find CD conmen

Goa University (GU) has decided to track down the conmen who have been couriering blank compact discs (CDs) with the university's logo to students, asking them to shell out money on delivery for discs that were blank.

According to Goa University registrar V.P. Kamat, the conmen were using the logo of the university on the cover of the CD, and many students had fallen prey to the trick. The university has filed a criminal case in this regard.

"Someone is duping people in the name of Goa University. We have filed a police complaint. This amounts to cheating and impersonation," Kamat said, even as several parents complained to university officials that the CD was often priced at about Rs.500, but contained nothing.

The conmen would use a legitimate courier agency, which sought payment on delivery.

Investigators say that the conmen used social networking sites like Facebook to track potential targets, mostly students who mention 'Goa University' in their profiles.

"It appears that they check Facebook profiles to shortlist targets and courier them the CD, asking for a payment even though the CD would arrive blank," said a police official attached to the Agacaim police station, near Panaji.