In a major breakthrough, Uttar Pradesh police have uncovered a sophisticated Aadhaar identity fraud operation, arresting four individuals accused of tampering with the biometric data of more than 1,500 citizens across 12 Indian states.
The cybercrime ring, operating primarily out of Badaun and Amroha, exploited vulnerabilities in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system. Among the arrested is a BTech dropout believed to be the mastermind behind the operation.
According to police, the accused created fake websites mimicking official Aadhaar and Passport portals. These platforms were used to alter critical personal details—such as names, birthdates, and addresses—for a fee ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per modification.
The gang reportedly maintained a widespread network of 200–300 agents across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi. They bypassed UIDAI’s biometric security by cloning legitimate Aadhaar operator credentials and deploying tampered fingerprint scanners equipped to accept silicone-molded fingerprints.
To legitimize fraudulent updates, the group forged supporting documents, including fake ration cards and birth certificates. Following the implementation of stricter Aadhaar verification protocols, the network also generated counterfeit passports—some of which were successfully uploaded to the UIDAI database.
Authorities have so far recovered over 400 forged documents. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the syndicate and assess the full extent of the data breach.
The incident raises serious concerns over Aadhaar data security and underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity and verification mechanisms in India’s identity management systems.
