Pithoragarh | In a shocking case of cyber-enabled identity fraud, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel from Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district was served with a ₹64 crore GST recovery notice after cybercriminals allegedly used documents submitted for a ₹50,000 instant loan application to register a fake company in his name.
According to police, the incident dates back nearly two years, when the ITBP personnel applied for a ₹50,000 loan through a mobile lending application. As part of the application process, he uploaded his Aadhaar card, PAN card and electricity bill. Shortly afterward, he was informed that his loan application had been rejected, and he believed the matter had ended there.
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The Cyber Cell investigation later revealed that fraudsters had allegedly misused those documents to register a fake business entity in the victim’s name. On paper, the company was shown to have an annual turnover ranging between ₹100 crore and ₹500 crore. Investigators suspect that fake GST invoices generated in the firm’s name were sold to shell companies, ultimately resulting in a ₹64 crore tax liability being linked to the victim.
The fraud came to light about two months ago when the victim’s family received a GST recovery notice. His wife subsequently approached the office of the Superintendent of Police in Pithoragarh, following which the Cyber Cell launched an investigation and uncovered the alleged identity theft and financial fraud.
Police have advised citizens to download banking and financial applications only from official sources or after verification with the concerned bank. They also urged account holders to keep their registered mobile numbers updated, regularly monitor bank account statements and passbooks, and immediately report any suspicious financial activity to both their bank and the police.
According to a Researcher at Algoritha Security, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting identity documents not only to steal money directly from bank accounts but also to establish fake companies, obtain fraudulent GST registrations and carry out sophisticated financial crimes. Individuals should share Aadhaar, PAN, electricity bills and other KYC documents only with verified and authorised platforms. If anyone discovers suspicious financial activity or fraudulent registrations in their name, they should immediately report the matter through India’s National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal so that timely legal action and investigation can begin.
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.
