Moradabad. Police in Moradabad on Wednesday claimed to have busted an interstate racket allegedly involved in preparing forged documents and obtaining fake passports for criminals and wanted gangsters. Two men, identified as alleged kingpin Mahfooz and his associate Akash, have been arrested. According to police, Mahfooz had also arranged a fake passport for gangster Deepak Pehal alias Boxer, a sharp shooter linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, around three years ago. Police are now investigating the role of other members and alleged facilitators connected with the network.
The city superintendent of police said a case was registered at Katghar police station on October 6 over allegations of obtaining a passport using forged documents. During the investigation, police followed leads and arrested Mahfooz, a resident of Agwanpur who was currently living in the Peer Ka Bazaar area, and Akash, a resident of Faridpur in Sector 78, Faridabad, near the Ramganga bridge at around 12:30 pm on Wednesday.
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Police said a large quantity of allegedly forged documents was recovered from the accused, including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, birth certificates, bank documents, voter identity cards, letterheads, electricity bills and mark sheets. Laptops and mobile phones were also seized. Police are examining the electronic devices and documents to identify other people allegedly linked to the network.
Deals allegedly made through Telegram’s ‘James’ channel
During questioning, police found that the fake passport operation was allegedly being coordinated from Bareilly. Bareilly resident Mukesh Sharma had reportedly created a Telegram channel called ‘James’. According to police, the channel was used to contact people seeking fake passports and negotiate deals with them. After receiving a customer’s name and photograph, the information was allegedly forwarded to Mahfooz.
Mahfooz would then allegedly prepare forged documents according to the customer’s requirements and use them to submit passport applications. Police suspect that the network may have been used to create false identities for concealing identities or facilitating travel abroad. Further investigation is underway into these aspects and the racket’s other alleged contacts.
Akash’s passport application was also allegedly filed under a false identity
According to police, Akash told investigators that Mahfooz had arranged to apply for his passport using forged documents in the name of ‘Ravi’, a resident of Tajpur Mafi. After the application was rejected, the two were allegedly preparing to submit another application. Akash also reportedly disclosed that he had contacted other people associated with the syndicate in connection with travelling abroad. Police are verifying these contacts.
Electricity bill exposed the alleged fake identity
An electricity bill became a key clue in the investigation. During passport verification, Akash had allegedly submitted an electricity bill in the name of Ravi, son of Prem Swarup of Tajpur Mafi. When police checked the bill’s records with the electricity department, the connection was found to be registered in the name of Mahfooz’s wife. Police then began connecting the documents and identities involved, leading to the alleged forgery being uncovered.
Mahfooz allegedly involved in forged-document business for 23 years
Police said Mahfooz had allegedly been involved in preparing forged and fabricated documents for around 23 years. He had reportedly set up a document-forging operation at his home. According to police, people from different districts of Uttar Pradesh, as well as Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, allegedly approached him for forged documents.
Police said several cases involving allegations of fraud, forgery and other offences have been registered against Mahfooz at Civil Lines, Katghar, Dilari and Chhajlet police stations in Moradabad. Cases related to fraud, forged documents, the Passport Act and the Gangsters Act have also reportedly been registered against him with the Delhi Police Special Cell.
Police also examining Deepak Boxer’s passport
According to police, Mahfooz had allegedly arranged a passport based on forged documents for gangster Deepak Pehal alias Boxer, who is linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, around three years ago. At that time, the role of a constable associated with the passport verification process was also reportedly found to be suspicious. Police are now investigating how many people were allegedly involved in preparing forged documents, facilitating verification and assisting with passport applications as part of the network.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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