Gujarat: Three Men Use Rubber Thumb Impression For Aadhaar Details Tampering; 2 Arrested

In the last one week, two separate incidents of Aadhaar fraud have been registered in Surat, the latest one being two people modifying the Aadhar Card data of others using a rubber thumb.

The accused, Hiren Prajapati, 26, and Prashant Pradhan, 20, were modifying the data of individuals using a rubber thumb, as reported by The Times of India. The accused have been arrested on Sunday. The police are yet to arrest Hitesh, another accused.

How did the scam unfold?

Residents told youth Congress leader Anup Rajput about the issue and he lodged a complaint with the police.

Prajapati works as an agent for applicants of various government cards such as PAN card, driving license etc. He got in touch with Pradhan and informed him that he is in search of Aadhaar-related work. Pradhan got in touch with Hitesh, who offered to provide data of a person who is authorized for updating Aadhaar cards. They bought a pen drive from Hitesh for Rs 6,000.

“The pen drive contained details of nationalised bank officer Prashant Morvadiya, who was authorized by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for updating Aadhaar details of individuals. The data included thumb impression of Morvadiya and using it, the accused prepared a rubber thumb,” said K B Zala, police inspector, Pandesara police station, reported The Times of India.

Using the thumb impression, Prajapati entered the UIDAI website and modified the details of Aadhaar card holders. He charged Rs 300 for the modifications.

Both the accused, residents of Pandesara, were arrested for violations of various Indian Penal Code sections including 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 465, 467, 468, 471 (forgery) as well as sections of the IT Act.

UIDAI says

The police are trying to nab Hitesh, as they suspect that he might have sold the same information to other people as well. They say that the racket might have been going on for a year now. The UIDAI in a tweet has said that it was not an Aadhaar security breach. They said that stolen biometrics is similar to forged signatures and action would be taken accordingly.

Replay of stolen biometrics is no different from forging somebody’s signature. The law will deal with such case in the same manner. 2/2

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) February 4, 2018

Another incident

The police in Surat busted another ring involved in using stolen biometric data and arrested two fair price shop owners, according to The Times of India.

“The accused were using a software that contained ration card numbers, Aadhaar card numbers and biometric thumb impressions of PDS beneficiaries. They used the details to create fake records of food grain sale. We are investigating from where the accused purchased the software, who developed it and who supplied the data,” said R Sarvaiya, assistant commissioner of police, detection of crime branch.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the crime.