Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered one of the largest Aadhaar identity fraud rackets in the state, arresting Pramod Kumar Nishad, the alleged mastermind behind the creation and manipulation of nearly 19,000 Aadhaar cards. The accused, operating under the cover of a government-authorised public service centre, was arrested on December 12 near the Ranjanwa checkpost along the Indo-Nepal border, where he was allegedly attempting to flee the country.
STF officials said the racket involved the illegal generation of new Aadhaar cards and unauthorised modification of existing records, including changes to names, dates of birth and residential addresses. The scale of the operation has raised serious concerns over national security, demographic manipulation and systemic abuse of digital identity infrastructure.
Educated Operator Exploited Digital Systems
Pramod Nishad, 28, is a resident of Semari Malmala village under Murtiha police station limits in Bahraich. A B.Sc graduate, he initially entered the ecosystem of government-linked digital services by learning procedures related to welfare schemes and online registrations.
In 2021, he underwent training at a public service centre and later obtained a licence to operate his own centre, Nishad Computer Centre. Investigators said his technical knowledge of government portals and workflows allowed him to identify vulnerabilities that later became the foundation of a full-scale identity fraud network.
Telegram Link Led to Fake Aadhaar Infrastructure
According to STF officials, Pramod’s operations expanded dramatically in late 2024 after he established contact with Aqeel Saifi via Telegram. Saifi allegedly supplied him with access to forged digital portals, including fake systems for generating birth and residence certificates, along with user IDs and passwords linked to Aadhaar enrolment and update databases.
Each ID was reportedly procured for ₹35,000, after which Pramod installed unauthorised software and forged tools on his systems. These enabled rapid creation of fake documents and direct manipulation of Aadhaar records, marking the beginning of a highly organised and technology-driven fraud operation.
Fake Certificates in Minutes; Minors Also Targeted
During interrogation, Pramod allegedly admitted that forged birth and residence certificates could be generated in one to two minutes. These documents were then used to issue new Aadhaar cards or alter existing ones.
STF officials said the racket did not spare minors. Children aged between 0 and 18 years were also issued manipulated Aadhaar identities, significantly increasing the long-term implications of the fraud.
To scale operations, Pramod allegedly granted remote access via AnyDesk to multiple associates. Their systems were loaded with forged portals, allowing Aadhaar-related fraud to be executed simultaneously from different locations.
₹45,000 Per ID, Nearly 19,000 Aadhaar Records Compromised
Investigators revealed that Pramod charged ₹45,000 per user ID, out of which ₹35,000 was paid to Aqeel Saifi. Each ID enabled the creation or modification of 20–25 Aadhaar cards per day, rapidly multiplying the scale of the racket.
In his confession, Pramod admitted that 18,000 to 19,000 Aadhaar records had been forged or altered. The network was particularly active in regions close to the Nepal border, raising concerns about cross-border misuse of Indian identity documents.
To evade law enforcement, Pramod frequently changed locations and was allegedly preparing to cross into Nepal when the STF intercepted him.
Major Seizures and Expanding Probe
During the arrest, STF teams seized:
- Laptop and desktop systems
- Biometric fingerprint and retina scanners
- Multiple mobile phones
- ATM cards and cheque books
- Other incriminating digital equipment
Officials said the seized devices contain critical forensic evidence that will help trace beneficiaries, collaborators and downstream misuse of forged Aadhaar identities.
The STF has launched a wider investigation to identify other operatives, document buyers and facilitators, and to determine whether forged Aadhaar cards were used for banking, SIM procurement, passports, welfare benefits or illegal border movement.
Serious National Security Implications
Senior STF officers said the case highlights how public service centres can be misused as fronts for organised cyber-enabled identity crime if oversight mechanisms fail. Authorities warned that misuse of Aadhaar at this scale has implications far beyond financial fraud, touching areas of citizenship, security and governance.
Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
