The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has uncovered a major cybercrime racket that exploited Aadhaar details through fake websites, tampered software, and stolen identities. Acting on instructions from Additional Director General Nayyar Hasnain Khan, investigators arrested three men from Madhepura district, including Ram Pravesh, a Class 10 passout who once ran a local cyber café. The others arrested are Mithilesh Kumar and Vikash Kumar.
According to officials, the group created fraudulent portals that closely resembled government websites such as those for Ayushman Bharat, Kanya Utthan Yojana, and Aadhaar update services. Citizens who unknowingly entered their Aadhaar details had their data siphoned off and fed into tampered systems, bypassing biometric authentication and one-time passwords. The stolen information was used to illegally claim benefits or sold in grey markets.
Police seized laptops, modified software, silicone fingerprints, and domain codes from the accused. The EOU confirmed that at least seven fake portals were built to trick unsuspecting users. Cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the IT Act, and Aadhaar regulations. Officials also indicated that the racket could be linked to a wider network across multiple states.
Investigations revealed that Ram Pravesh began operating his cyber café in 2021 to assist villagers with online services. Over time, he shifted from legitimate support to fraudulent activities, teaching himself coding and social engineering. By 2022, he was running fake portals that drew villagers into disclosing sensitive information. The trust placed in local cafés became a tool for exploitation, amplified through online tutorials, search engine tactics, and word of mouth.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities surrounding Aadhaar-based welfare systems. Once celebrated as the backbone of India’s digital governance, Aadhaar has increasingly become a target for fraud through silicone fingerprints, cloned portals, and data theft. Authorities warn that while technical safeguards are essential, public awareness is equally critical.
“This is not a one-off café crime but part of an emerging ecosystem of cyber fraud,” said an officer. The arrests mark both a breakthrough for law enforcement and a warning for citizens to verify portals before sharing Aadhaar information.
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