A kidney selling scam has come to light in Andhra Pradesh, involving a 31-year-old auto-rickshaw driver named G Madhu Babu from Guntur. Madhu Babu was reportedly duped into selling his kidney for a fraction of the promised amount. This distressing incident highlights the growing problem of illegal organ trade and exploitation of financially desperate individuals.
Madhu Babu, burdened with debts, was struggling to support his wife and children. In November last year, he approached an agent named Venkat after seeing an advertisement on Facebook, offering to sell his kidney in exchange for INR 30 lakh.
Despite his wife's objections, Madhu Babu saw no other way to overcome his financial troubles. He underwent various medical tests in a private hospital in Vijayawada between November 2023 and June 2024. During this period, he was given INR 1.1 lakh as a part payment.
The surgery to remove his kidney was performed in a private hospital in Vijayawada a few weeks ago. However, after the surgery, Venkat and the others involved in the scam refused to pay the remaining promised amount of INR 28.9 lakh.
They instead threatened him, leaving him in a worse predicament than before. Feeling helpless and betrayed, Madhu Babu approached the Guntur district police, seeking justice and intervention.
This incident follows another similar case in the region. About a year ago, a vegetable seller named Boosi Anuradha from Eluru district reported to the local police that she had been cheated by a kidney racket gang.
Anuradha had been promised INR 7 lakh for her kidney but received only INR 5 lakh after the surgery. These recurring incidents suggest a troubling pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable individuals.
The police have received Madhu Babu's complaint and are in the process of verifying the facts before registering a case. This case underscores the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to combat illegal organ trade and protect those who are financially desperate from falling prey to such scams.
It also highlights the importance of public awareness about the dangers of dealing with unverified agents and the need for a robust support system for individuals in financial distress.
The alarming frequency of such incidents in Andhra Pradesh calls for urgent attention from both law enforcement and policymakers. It is imperative to address the root causes of such exploitation, including financial insecurity and lack of awareness.
Providing support and resources for those in debt and creating stringent measures against illegal organ trade can help prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
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