Bengaluru, do not 'flaunt' your Aadhaar details everywhere

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: As cybercrime continues to evolve, with new threats emerging after every update, the Karnataka Cyber Crime Police have advised Bengalureans not to 'flaunt' their Aadhaar cards everywhere.

"If shared, Aadhaar information might be exploited by online fraudsters to swindle individuals out of their money, or even subject them to harassment and blackmail. It is crucial to understand that this card should only be used when absolutely necessary," cautioned an official from the Cyber Crime Police, speaking to News Trail.

In a series of cases reported in various Cyber Police Stations across the state, particularly in Bengaluru, the Cybercrime CID Police have uncovered numerous financial frauds perpetrated by abusing the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS).

Detailing the modus operandi of these fraudsters, the police revealed that the culprits create fake Aadhaar cards for victims without their knowledge.

What's surprising is that creating a fraudulent Aadhaar card typically requires collusion with personnel at an Aadhaar center. Just two months ago, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru arrested a cyber center owner in Rajajinagar for allegedly altering the date of birth on Aadhaar cards to make youths eligible for government schemes, including old-age pensions.

The police explained that criminals have been exploiting the AePS by later cloning the Aadhaarlinked biometrics through silicon fingerprints and unauthorized biometric devices, subsequently siphoning funds from victims' bank accounts.

Rajesh LY, a Police Inspector from the Cyber Economics and Narcotics (CEN) Bandepalya Police Station, mentioned that investigations are ongoing into reports of such fraud, and awareness campaigns are being organized to alert the public.

"The AePS system enables users to deposit, withdraw cash, transfer funds, and check statements using Aadhaar numbers and biometrics. Safeguarding your Aadhaar Card and avoiding unnecessary use is of utmost importance," he emphasized.

The seriousness of tampering with Aadhaar cards is highlighted by a recent case involving the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In July, a man was apprehended in Bihar for using the name and details of PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on an Aadhaar card.

According to the police, the accused had altered certain details, including the birthdates of both leaders on the Aadhaar card.

In response to similar incidents, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently communicated with states and union territories, raising concerns about the "misuse" of AePS by cybercriminals in committing financial fraud.

How to prevent misuse of Aadhaar?

• Store your Aadhaar Card in a secure and confidential location.
• Refrain from sharing or disclosing your Aadhaar details with anyone, except when necessary for official purposes.
• Never share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone, and avoid entering it on third-party websites or applications.
• Visit the UIDAI website to lock your Aadhaar Card biometrics details, adding an extra layer of security.
•  Obtain a masked eAadhaar copy from the website, which conceals the first eight digits as "XXXXXXXX," leaving only the last four digits visible