Wed May 21 17:45:51 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, formatted for an Indian audience (specifically a Karnataka focus):
**News Article:**
**Fake KEA Website Snares Student Data; Cybercrime Police Investigate**
**Bengaluru, May 21, 2025:** Cybercrime police in Bengaluru have launched an investigation into a fraudulent website mimicking the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) portal. An FIR has been filed against unknown individuals responsible for creating the fake site, which was reportedly collecting sensitive personal data from students aspiring to enroll in professional courses.
The complaint, filed by the Administrative Officer of KEA on Tuesday, alleges that the fake website surfaces in search results when querying “KEA home.” Once accessed, the site deceptively prompts users to enter personal information including their name, mobile number, email address, state, and desired course. After submission, a false “success” message is displayed, indicating the data is being harvested. The website’s design closely resembles the legitimate KEA portal (https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/), making it difficult for unsuspecting students and parents to distinguish between the two.
“The KEA is the State agency for conducting entrance examinations and allotment of seats to professional courses” as the complaint stated.
Prasanna H., Executive Director of KEA, has issued a public advisory urging students and parents to exercise extreme caution and avoid registering on any unofficial websites. “We appeal to students and parents not to get cheated by registering on such fake websites,” he stated. The cybercrime police are investigating the matter under the Information Technology Act.
First Piper 