The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has dismantled a massive Aadhaar identity fraud racket, arresting Pramod Kumar Nishad, alleged to be the mastermind behind nearly 19,000 fake or altered Aadhaar cards. The accused was apprehended near the Ranjanwa checkpost along the Indo-Nepal border while reportedly attempting to flee the country.

Educated Operator Exploited Digital Systems

Pramod Nishad, 28, a B.Sc graduate from Semari Malmala village in Bahraich, initially gained experience in government-linked digital services through training at a public service centre. He later established his own outlet, Nishad Computer Centre, and leveraged technical knowledge of government portals to exploit vulnerabilities in the Aadhaar enrolment and update systems.

Telegram Link Led to Fake Aadhaar Infrastructure

Investigators revealed that in late 2024, Pramod collaborated with Aqeel Saifi via Telegram, obtaining forged digital portals and login credentials for birth and residence certificates. This infrastructure enabled rapid manipulation of Aadhaar records, facilitating large-scale identity fraud.

Fake Certificates in Minutes; Minors Targeted

Pramod allegedly admitted that forged certificates could be generated in 1–2 minutes, with both new Aadhaar cards and modifications to existing IDs executed seamlessly. The network included minors aged 0–18, magnifying the long-term risks of identity abuse. He also provided remote access via AnyDesk to associates, allowing simultaneous operations from multiple locations.

₹45,000 Per ID; 19,000 Records Compromised

Each manipulated Aadhaar ID was reportedly sold for ₹45,000, with ₹35,000 remitted to Saifi. According to confessions, 18,000–19,000 Aadhaar records were forged or altered, predominantly near the Nepal border, raising concerns about cross-border misuse.

Major Seizures and Expanding Probe

During the arrest, STF seized:

• Laptops and desktops
• Biometric fingerprint and retina scanners
• Multiple mobile phones
• ATM cards and cheque books
• Other digital evidence

Officials confirmed forensic analysis of these devices will help trace beneficiaries, collaborators, and downstream misuse, including applications for bank accounts, SIM cards, passports, welfare benefits, and illegal border movement.

Serious National Security Implications

Senior STF officers warned that the case underscores how public service centres can be exploited for cyber-enabled identity crimes if oversight mechanisms fail. Misuse at this scale poses threats not only to financial integrity but also to citizenship, national security, and governance systems.

Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

A roadside trap near Gandhinagar led to the arrest of two law enforcement officers allegedly involved in a ₹30 lakh bribery scheme, highlighting concerns over corruption within police ranks.

A Trap on a Quiet Road

The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) set up the operation following a complaint from a party involved in an ongoing call-centre investigation. Constable Vipul Desai was caught red-handed while accepting the cash, with his superior, Inspector Petha Patel, arrested shortly thereafter. The exchange reportedly occurred near Swagat City Mall in Sargasan, a site linked to the Hari Group.

Officials stated that the officers allegedly demanded the bribe as a quid pro quo to avoid legal action against the complainant.

Allegations Against the Investigators

Both officers serve in the Gandhinagar-based CID Crime unit, typically responsible for sensitive and complex investigations. The ACB confirmed that procedural verification of the complaint preceded the trap, a standard method in corruption cases to establish demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.

Custody, Court, and Legal Proceedings

The arrested officers are scheduled to be produced in court, where the ACB will seek their remand for further interrogation. Investigators aim to uncover the precise method of solicitation, potential intermediaries, and whether similar bribe demands were made in prior cases.

Scrutiny Beyond the Cash Exchange

Authorities have indicated that the probe will extend to examining the officers’ assets and property, a step often used to determine whether the misconduct is isolated or part of a larger pattern of corruption. The ACB’s investigation may shed light on systemic vulnerabilities within enforcement agencies tasked with upholding the law.

Mumbai: An 80-year-old retired government officer in Mumbai was defrauded of ₹26.20 lakh after cybercriminals impersonating Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police officers threatened to implicate him in a fabricated case of human trafficking and SIM card fraud. The incident was reported to the North Region Cyber Police, who have registered an FIR and launched an investigation.

According to police, the fraudsters manipulated the victim by sending fake legal documents and an arrest warrant, eventually convincing him to transfer money to avoid supposed prosecution.

Fake Allegations and Threats of Arrest

Police said the fraud began on November 25, when the victim, vacationing in Nashik with his wife, received a call from a man identifying himself as Vinay Sharma, an officer with Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police. Sharma claimed the victim’s name had surfaced in a human trafficking racket and that 187 SIM cards had been issued under his identity.

He further alleged that an IndusInd Bank account in Matunga branch, opened in the victim’s name, had received ₹30 lakh in illegal proceeds. Sharma told the victim that his superior, Sandeep Rao, an officer from Ashok Nagar Police Station, would soon record his statement and arrest him for further questioning in Bengaluru.

‘Official Secrets Act’ Used to Create Fear

Investigators said the fraudsters sent the victim a case registration number and a forged arrest warrant via WhatsApp, making the case appear authentic. To intimidate him further, they warned that if he discussed the matter with anyone, he would be charged under the Official Secrets Act for revealing classified information.

Terrified, the elderly man agreed to cooperate and requested to speak with “Rao,” the supposed senior investigating officer. The next day, he received a video call from the person posing as Rao, who advised him to disclose his financial details to “prove his innocence.”

Victim Transfers ₹26.20 Lakh to Fraudsters

Convinced by the elaborate deception, the victim shared his bank details and one-time passwords (OTPs), believing that doing so would help him resolve the case. Moments later, he discovered that ₹26.20 lakh had been withdrawn from his accounts.

Realizing he had been cheated, the victim filed a complaint with the North Region Cyber Police, which has since traced the transactions to multiple accounts under investigation. Officials suspect the funds were routed through a network of mule accounts before being transferred digitally to other states.

Police Investigation Underway

A senior officer from the Mumbai Cyber Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the suspects and recover the stolen funds. The case is being investigated under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act related to cheating and impersonation.

“Such scams exploit fear and authority. Victims are tricked into believing they are under investigation, forcing them to comply,” the officer said, adding that elderly citizens are increasingly being targeted in digital impersonation and extortion scams.

Advisory for Citizens

Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement or government agencies. Police emphasized that no legitimate officer will demand money or sensitive information over the phone and that verification through official helplines should be the first step.

Cyber officials also appealed to the public to report suspicious calls immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the cybercrime.gov.in portal for prompt action.