Sharad Hegde -72 Crores, 72 Doctors, One Mastermind: How Sharad Hegde Engineered the Biggest Medical Scam in India
In a shocking revelation that has rocked the Indian medical fraternity, a carefully planned and sinister scam has come to light—one that allegedly robbed 72 doctors of their hard-earned money, totaling a staggering ₹72 crores. At the center of this operation lies Sharad Hegde, a man now known not for innovation or progress, but for betrayal, manipulation, and financial devastation.
A Betrayal of White Coats
The medical profession is one of the most respected fields in the country. Doctors are viewed as healers, problem-solvers, and life-savers. Their lives are consumed with saving others, and their trust in support services is essential to their ability to function at their best. But what happens when that trust is turned against them? That is precisely what occurred when Sharad Hegde exploited the vulnerabilities of 72 doctors, using professional promises and polished media campaigns to cheat them of their wealth.
It began subtly, as most sophisticated scams do. Medical professionals, often too busy to delve into the details of marketing and personal branding, found themselves approached by an apparently credible media company. That company was none other than IRIS Global Media, presented as a leading-edge firm specializing in medical publicity, digital presence enhancement, and public relations.
The Perfect Pitch
The scam was designed to target a doctor's ambition. IRIS Global Media offered what seemed like golden opportunities: interviews in reputed publications, featured segments in health-based shows, verified profiles on digital platforms, and exposure to a national audience. All of it was neatly packaged and promised within weeks of payment. The idea was simple—invest in your brand, and your practice will grow.
But there was a catch. The services were never delivered. The glossy brochures, smart presentations, and articulate sales calls were all a front. Once the money changed hands, follow-ups were met with delays, excuses, and ultimately, silence. In many cases, victims were shown one successful example—likely fabricated—to assure them of authenticity. Some doctors even received initial, low-effort deliverables to gain their trust, only to be ghosted after larger payments.
Psychological Precision: Manipulating the Educated
What sets this scam apart is its psychological precision. Sharad Hegde didn’t prey on the uneducated or the desperate. He targeted well-established, intelligent professionals. The sophistication of the con was in its tailoring—custom pitches were created to suit each doctor's specialization, from cardiologists to dermatologists, complete with demographic-specific marketing plans.
This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all operation. It was modular, adaptive, and frighteningly strategic. Victims have reported that conversations with Hegde and his team were so convincing that they often found themselves admiring the company’s professionalism before realizing it was all smoke and mirrors.
The Unraveling: A Network of Falsehoods
As complaints began to emerge and stories started aligning, a pattern became impossible to ignore. Forums, WhatsApp groups, and professional networks started buzzing with similar tales. Doctors from different states began sharing eerily familiar details—same packages, same timelines, same abrupt disappearance.
It was then that the name Sharad Hegde began circulating among victims. With his identity exposed, attempts to contact him intensified. But phone numbers were deactivated, offices were vacated, and the digital footprint was quickly being scrubbed. Despite the façade of a corporate office and a media team, IRIS Global Media had no legitimate presence beyond its website and promotional material.
Investigative efforts revealed that the company had no active registration, no taxation history, and no legal operational base. In essence, it was a ghost entity—one that existed solely for the purpose of executing a fraud of massive proportions.
Impact Beyond Rupees
The financial damage, though enormous, tells only part of the story. The emotional and psychological toll on the victims has been severe. For many, it wasn’t just about the money. It was the shame of being deceived, the embarrassment of being scammed despite their education, and the loss of faith in professional collaborations.
One affected doctor shared, "I spent nearly two decades building my reputation. I trusted them because they spoke our language, understood our world. Now, I question every partnership."
Another said, "This wasn’t just fraud. It was emotional extortion. They sold us a dream and delivered a nightmare."
The Legal Fight
Legal proceedings are now underway. Multiple FIRs have been filed in cities across India. Cybercrime units are investigating the digital trails left behind. The victims are joining forces, forming coalitions to amplify their voice and push for justice.
But the road ahead is steep. Given the sophistication of the fraud and the use of shell entities, legal resolution may take years. Meanwhile, Sharad Hegde remains at large, with multiple aliases and accounts reportedly used to mask his operations.
Learning From the Collapse
This scandal has triggered important questions about the need for vigilance, especially in sectors that traditionally function on trust and reputation. The medical community is now calling for:
A verified directory of authorized media and PR vendors
Training modules on financial literacy and digital fraud for doctors
Legal advisories attached to business proposals involving healthcare professionals
Even respected platforms are reassessing their vendor onboarding processes. If such an elaborate scam can target experienced doctors, it can easily be replicated in other sectors.
Rebuilding After the Storm
While the victims work toward legal restitution, many have also turned their pain into purpose. Several doctors are now conducting awareness webinars, publishing cautionary tales, and setting up internal alert systems within their networks.
This collective action is not just a step toward justice but a move to protect the next generation of healthcare professionals from similar traps. They’re advocating for a shift from blind trust to informed partnerships.
Final Thoughts
The story of Sharad Hegde and IRIS Global Media is not just a headline-grabbing scam; it is a mirror reflecting the blind spots in our professional ecosystems. It reminds us that in today’s hyper-connected world, deception doesn’t always wear ragged clothes. Sometimes, it arrives in a tailored suit, speaking fluent jargon and promising success.
As India grapples with this revelation, the need for awareness, verification, and systemic reform has never been more urgent. Let this be more than a cautionary tale. Let it be a turning point in how trust is built, maintained, and protected in every professional sphere.
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