New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered an alleged organised network involved in issuing fraudulent FASTags to evade toll payments on national highways, causing losses estimated to run into several crores of rupees in government revenue. Two suspects, identified as Anant Ram Rathore, a resident of Sitapur, and Nakib Khan, an agent associated with IndusInd Bank, were arrested near Polytechnic Crossing in Lucknow. According to investigators, the accused allegedly created FASTags using forged documents and manipulated vehicle details, allowing vehicles to bypass toll payments illegally. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the network and determine the full extent of the fraud.
The STF said it recovered two mobile phones, two PAN cards, and ₹4,230 in cash from the accused. Preliminary findings suggest that the group had allegedly been issuing fraudulent FASTags for an extended period. Investigators believe the scheme may have caused government revenue losses worth several crores of rupees. Forensic examination of the seized digital devices and documents is now underway to determine how many fake FASTags were issued and the total toll revenue allegedly evaded.
According to investigators, the group allegedly collected driving licences, mobile numbers, and other personal documents from vehicle owners before initiating FASTag applications through a bank’s official portal. However, instead of uploading the genuine Registration Certificate (RC), the suspects allegedly submitted forged registration documents and incorrect vehicle details. This enabled the issuance of FASTags that did not correspond to the actual vehicles on which they were ultimately used.
Police further allege that the network misused FASTags by assigning a tag issued for one vehicle to another vehicle. In one example cited by investigators, a FASTag issued using one vehicle’s details was linked to a completely different registration number. As a result, automated toll systems reportedly processed incorrect vehicle information, allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas without making valid toll payments. Authorities believe this method was repeatedly used to evade toll charges across multiple highways.
During interrogation, Nakib Khan allegedly told investigators that Anant Ram Rathore had helped him become an IndusInd Bank agent in 2022. Initially, he was involved in issuing legitimate FASTags, but later allegedly joined the fraudulent operation in pursuit of higher earnings. Investigators claim he admitted receiving approximately ₹5,000 for every fake FASTag issued. Police allege that the two subsequently issued numerous fraudulent FASTags for different vehicles using the same method.
Investigators are now analysing bank portal login records, application data, uploaded documents, mobile phones, digital communications, financial transactions, and other electronic evidence. Authorities are also examining whether additional bank agents, technical facilitators, or vehicle owners were involved in the operation. The investigation further seeks to determine in which states the fraudulent FASTags were used and how many toll plazas may have been affected.
According to experts at the Future Crime Research Foundation, the misuse of digital payment systems such as FASTag extends beyond revenue theft and represents a significant challenge to the integrity of transportation and digital identity infrastructure. They recommend that banks, toll operators, and regulatory authorities implement real-time verification of vehicle registration records, strengthen digital document authentication, and continuously monitor suspicious FASTag activity. Experts also advise vehicle owners to share their personal documents only with authorised agents, regularly review FASTag account activity, and immediately report any suspicious transactions or unauthorised tags to the issuing bank or the relevant authorities.
