Aligarh: A large-scale identity fraud involving the creation of more than 5,000 fake Aadhaar cards within just six months has been uncovered in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district. According to police, two operators running local Jan Seva Kendras(public service centers) were arrested after an extensive investigation revealed unauthorized access to government systems and widespread document forgery.
Unauthorized Access to Government Portals
Investigators found that the accused exploited vulnerabilities in official Aadhaar registration platforms to generate fraudulent digital identities. When citizens faced long queues and delays at authorized post offices or UIDAI centers, the duo lured them to their own facilities by promising faster service for a nominal fee.
Forgery at Scale
The accused created fake birth, death, residence, and income certificates to validate the Aadhaar registration process. Despite lacking any official authorization from UIDAI, they managed to issue thousands of Aadhaar numbers by uploading forged credentials and tampering with digital entry points.
Evidence Seized
During raids, police recovered computers, scanners, printers, seals, mobile phones, and cash, along with several forged Aadhaar forms and certificates. Preliminary analysis indicates that these fake Aadhaar cards were later used to claim government subsidies, open bank accounts, and facilitate illegal fund transfers.
Wider Network Across Districts
Cybercrime officials believe the operation extended beyond Aligarh, with similar fraudulent activities reported in Hathras, Etah, and Kasganj. The accused allegedly gathered citizens’ personal data through a network of local agents and uploaded it into the Aadhaar system using falsified documentation.
Data Misuse and Financial Fraud
Authorities have received multiple complaints from residents who noticed unauthorized transactions from their bank accounts. Investigators suspect that victims’ Aadhaar-linked details were cloned and used to divert funds under government welfare schemes.
Administrative Review Underway
District police have ordered a comprehensive audit of 47 Jan Seva Kendras, several of which are now under suspicion. UIDAI officials have also been informed to conduct a technical security review to identify potential breaches in data access protocols.
Concerns Over Data Security
Experts warn that the case exposes serious flaws in the digital governance and identity protection ecosystem. They argue that UIDAI’s verification systems, though robust at scale, remain vulnerable to localized manipulation when oversight is weak or when operators gain unauthorized backend access.
