Sahibabad. A suspected financial fraud has come to light in Ghaziabad’s Sahibabad area, where a tailor’s wife allegedly had her PAN number misused to register a fake firm and conduct transactions worth more than ₹16.80 crore. The couple, residents of Jawahar Park, reportedly earn only around ₹16,000 to ₹17,000 a month through tailoring work. The discovery of crores of rupees in transactions linked to the woman’s PAN left the family shocked. The victims claim they had been approaching the police and concerned departments for nearly five months before a case was finally registered.
PAN Allegedly Used to Register Firm
According to complainant Hukam Singh, he and his wife Kiran earn their livelihood through tailoring. Their combined monthly income is around ₹16,000 to ₹17,000. He alleged that Kiran’s PAN number was used without her knowledge or consent to register a firm at an address in Govindpuram.
According to the complaint, transactions and business activity worth ₹16 crore 80 lakh 18 thousand were recorded in the name of the suspected fake firm. The woman allegedly had no knowledge of the business. The alleged fraud came to light after Income Tax notices and messages started reaching her over transactions and records linked to her PAN.
Income Tax Notices Exposed the Suspected Fraud
Hukam Singh said the family had been receiving notices and messages from the Income Tax Department for nearly five months. Initially, they could not understand how such large-scale financial activity could be associated with his wife, who had no connection with the alleged business.
The family subsequently approached the police as well as the Income Tax and GST departments. Based on the complaint and documents provided by the family, police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
Investigators are now examining how the woman’s PAN details were obtained, what documents were submitted for registration of the firm and who was behind the transactions running into crores of rupees.
PAN Misuse Allegedly Reported Five Years Ago Too
Hukam Singh said this was not the first time his family had allegedly faced PAN misuse. Around five years ago, his own PAN card was allegedly misused in a fraud involving ₹38 lakh.
At the time, he suspected the chartered accountant who handled his Income Tax Returns and a cyber café operator. He has expressed suspicion that the same individuals could have played a role in the alleged misuse of his wife’s PAN as well. However, their involvement will be established only after the police investigation.
Cyber Expert Warns Against Identity Document Misuse
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said misuse of identity documents to conduct financial activities in another person’s name can expose victims to serious legal and financial consequences.
He said people frequently share copies of PAN cards, Aadhaar cards and other identity documents for various official and financial purposes but often do not monitor how the information is subsequently used. Such misuse can result in fraudulent companies, accounts and transactions being created in the victim’s name, potentially leading to tax notices and prolonged legal complications.
He advised people to clearly mention the purpose of submitting a document and regularly monitor financial and tax records linked to their identity.
How to Protect Your PAN Details
A PAN card is used for banking, investments, Income Tax Returns and several other financial activities. Its misuse can allow fraudsters to create companies, open accounts or conduct transactions using another person’s identity.
Experts advise people to write the purpose and date of submission on photocopies of PAN cards whenever they are required for official purposes. PAN numbers and document images should not be shared with unknown individuals or posted on public platforms.
People should also verify the authenticity of websites and applications before entering PAN details. Regularly checking tax records, the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS can help identify suspicious transactions at an early stage.
If an unfamiliar company, transaction or financial activity appears in a person’s name, the matter should immediately be reported to the Income Tax Department, GST authorities and police.
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.
