Rampur. An interstate cyber fraud gang allegedly involved in opening bank accounts in people’s names by misusing the Aadhaar enrolment and update process has been busted by the Rampur Cyber Crime Police. Four people, including a Branch Postmaster (BPM) of a post office, have been arrested in connection with the case. According to the investigation, members of the gang allegedly made people coming for Aadhaar-related services provide their fingerprints again under false pretences and then used the biometric information to open bank accounts in their names. These accounts were allegedly used for transactions linked to cybercrime.
The case relates to Pasiyapura Janubi village in the Civil Lines area. In her complaint, the woman said she had gone to the village panchayat building on June 20 to get an Aadhaar card made for her child. Two people associated with the post office were working there with an Aadhaar enrolment kit and assured her that they would complete the process for her child’s Aadhaar card. During the process, the woman was allegedly made to provide her fingerprint again.
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According to the woman, she was unaware that the additional biometric authentication could allegedly be used for another purpose. The police investigation found that the biometric information was allegedly misused to activate a bank account in her name. The woman was not immediately aware that an account had been opened or that it was being used.
The alleged fraud came to light when the woman received a notice on August 22 from police in the Nizampura area of Thane, Maharashtra. The notice referred to alleged illegal financial transactions worth ₹1.70 lakh linked to a bank account in her name. It also contained a warning related to digital arrest. The woman was surprised to learn that financial transactions and possible police action were associated with her identity. She subsequently approached the local police and reported the matter.
Following her complaint and directions from senior police officials, the Cyber Crime Police began an investigation. Investigators examined the bank account, Aadhaar-related records and the biometric authentication process. The inquiry gradually led to an alleged network in which identity and biometric information of individuals was being used to open bank accounts.
As the investigation progressed, police arrested four people allegedly linked to the network. One of those arrested is a Branch Postmaster. Investigators are now questioning the suspects to determine how many people may have been targeted in a similar manner and how the bank accounts allegedly opened using their identities were used in cybercrime cases.
Police also recovered 29 SIM cards from the arrested suspects. Investigators are examining the use of these SIM cards, the mobile numbers associated with them, related bank accounts and digital transactions. They are also trying to establish whether the alleged network has links with people operating in other states.
Bank accounts used to receive or transfer proceeds of cyber fraud are an important part of investigations into such cases. Criminal networks sometimes allegedly attempt to operate such accounts using the identity documents or personal information of other individuals. In this case, investigators are examining the purpose of the alleged ₹1.70 lakh transactions from the account opened in the woman’s name and tracing where the money was subsequently transferred.
Police are also investigating the wider network, identifying other possible victims and examining transactions associated with the allegedly fraudulent accounts. Digital evidence and the 29 recovered SIM cards are being analysed to establish the role of other people who may have been connected to the alleged operation.
The investigation will also focus on how the biometric authentication process was allegedly misused and whether similar accounts were opened in the names of other people. Investigators are expected to trace the financial trail and digital links to determine the extent of the alleged interstate network and identify additional individuals connected with the case.
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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