RANCHI: In a major revelation, investigators have found that cybercriminals were misusing Aadhaar cards of unsuspecting villagers to route money obtained through online frauds committed across the country. The modus operandi came to light during the interrogation of cyber fraudsters recently arrested in Ranchi.
The accused allegedly tampered with genuine Aadhaar cards to create forged versions and used them to open bank accounts with fake addresses. Once the accounts were activated, the altered Aadhaar cards were restored to their original form, making it difficult to trace the fraud.
During the investigation, Ranchi Police recovered dozens of such Aadhaar cards that were allegedly being used to facilitate cybercrime and launder fraudulent proceeds.
“As of now, mule accounts were used by the fraudsters having their own address, but during the investigation, it has been found that now they have started using fake addresses of any remote location to receive and transfer illegally obtained money,” said Ranchi City SP Paras Rana.
The fraudsters first obtain a person's Aadhaar card, alter the address to that of a remote location to open a bank account, and then restore the Aadhaar card to its original details, he added.
The SP further said that this new modus operandi was revealed by the five fraudsters arrested in Ranchi on Friday. More than 50 passbooks, dozens of Aadhaar cards and ATM cards have been recovered from there.
At least 4-5 four to five bank accounts were found to be in the name of one single person, he said.
“The investigation into this matter is still on, and all recovered documents are currently being scrutinised. The individuals whose Aadhaar cards were used to open these accounts are also being investigated,” said the SP. Action will be taken against them as well if their involvement is established, he added.
Police said the cybercriminals apprehended in the Gonda area were collecting Aadhaar cards to open bank accounts. They allegedly procured the documents by luring people with payments ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000.
As bank accounts are essential for carrying out cyber fraud, the Cyber Crime Branch of the CID has been taking continuous action against mule accounts. In response, cybercriminals operating from Ranchi allegedly began opening bank accounts using fake addresses by tampering with Aadhaar cards.
Investigators said the fraudsters carried out various forms of cyber fraud and subsequently routed the illicit proceeds through these bank accounts.
Cybercriminals linked to Jamtara are not only carrying out fraud themselves but are also drawing unemployed and financially vulnerable youths into the cybercrime network by luring them with promises of quick and easy money.
These fraudsters establish contact with young people through social media platforms, messaging applications and local networks. Initially, youths are offered what appear to be legitimate employment opportunities like jobs in call centres, online marketing firms or banking support services. Gradually, they are introduced to illegal activities, including making fraudulent calls, obtaining OTPs from unsuspecting individuals, renting out bank accounts, and facilitating suspicious digital payment transactions.
In most of the cases, these recruits are unaware that they are into cybercrime. They are simply promised commissions daily for each successful transaction, making the work seem like a regular source of income. The cybercriminals recently arrested in Gonda also learned the techniques of online fraud from operators based in Jamtara.