Authorities are investigating a case of large scale Aadhaar misuse after a Pune based engineer discovered that his identity had been used to open 6 fake bank accounts that later surfaced in cyber fraud investigations. The incident highlights how personal documents shared during routine travel can be exploited by organised scam networks operating across states.
The engineer had shared his Aadhaar details for a hotel booking during a family temple visit. While returning to Pune the next day he received 6 automated emails from UIDAI alerting him to new online bank accounts opened using his Aadhaar. He immediately contacted the UIDAI helpline 1947 and cybercrime helpline 1930 and rushed to an Aadhaar centre. Officials found that fraudsters had changed his Aadhaar linked mobile number to another number which allowed them to complete bank KYC processes without his knowledge.
After biometric verification his Aadhaar was relinked to his wife’s mobile number and the biometric lock was activated blocking further misuse. At one of the banks officials confirmed that the account had already been used as a mule account to route scam proceeds. Complaints were filed with all 6 banks and the accounts were frozen. An FIR was later registered at Hadapsar police station under sections of the IT Act.
The case widened when the Bengaluru North Division Cyber Crime unit issued a notice to the engineer after tracing fraud transactions to the mule accounts opened in his name. He responded to the notice explaining the identity theft following which Hadapsar police began probing the phone number trail and mule network. Cyber security expert Rajnarayan Singh warned “Lock Aadhaar or Lose Identity” and said “One shared number births endless mules fuelling ₹18000 Cr scams. Biometric lock + wife linked mobile saved this engineer—90% victims don’t act in time.” Investigators say Aadhaar misuse at hotels rentals and pilgrimage stays has become a growing risk and urge citizens to activate biometric locks and avoid sharing Aadhaar unless legally required.
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