Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh Police’s Cyber Crime Police Station in Prayagraj has uncovered a major fake Aadhaar update racket and arrested two alleged operatives, including the suspected mastermind. Investigators claim the group illegally reactivated inactive Aadhaar operator IDs using technical methods to carry out unauthorised Aadhaar enrolment and update services. Preliminary findings suggest that more than 50,000 Aadhaar records may have been illegally created or modified through the network. Police said the investigation is continuing to identify other members and determine the full extent of the operation.
The arrested accused have been identified as Parmatma Sharan alias Vivek, a native of Fatehpur currently residing in Kanpur, and Lavkush Yadav of Pratapgarh. According to investigators, Parmatma Sharan allegedly used two separate identities, and police recovered bank accounts, documents and other records linked to both names. Officials believe the dual identities were used to conceal financial transactions and facilitate the operation of the racket. Both accused are being questioned to establish the roles of other individuals associated with the network.
During searches, police seized three laptops, four mobile phones, five hard drives, three solid-state drives (SSDs), a fingerprint scanner, 19 banking documents and several other digital devices. All electronic equipment has been sent for forensic examination. Investigators expect the devices to provide crucial evidence regarding the network’s operations, financial transactions, customer database and communications with accomplices.
The investigation has revealed that the racket had allegedly been active for nearly seven months across Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi. Police said the accused had been associated with a private service provider that supplied Aadhaar operators since 2020. After the company’s contract expired, inactive operator IDs were allegedly reactivated using cloning and bypass techniques. Investigators claim the accused charged around ₹5,000 for each operator ID activation session.
According to police, the group used remote-access software such as AnyDesk to gain control of computers through WhatsApp-based communication. Once access was obtained, unauthorised Aadhaar enrolment and update services were allegedly carried out. Investigators said the racket charged approximately ₹250 for each Aadhaar enrolment or update. Preliminary findings also suggest that the network may have processed nearly 3,000 Aadhaar-related transactions every day, although the exact number will be determined only after a detailed examination of digital records and server logs.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that unauthorised manipulation of Aadhaar records poses risks far beyond financial fraud. According to him, such activities can facilitate identity theft, fraudulent bank accounts, illegal SIM card issuance and several other forms of cybercrime. He advised citizens to use only authorised Aadhaar enrolment and update centres and never share biometric information, personal documents or remote access to their devices with unauthorised individuals.
Police said three accused have been arrested so far, while efforts are underway to trace other suspected members of the network. Investigators are examining the roles of Sudip, Komal Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Abhandra Mahuli, Amit, Sunil, Veer Singh of Chitrakoot and Shivam Singh of Ayodhya, among others. Officials said further arrests are likely as forensic analysis of the seized devices, financial transactions and digital evidence progresses. They added that all those found involved in the racket will face legal action in accordance with the law.
