Fake Documents Scammers Busted: Counterfeit Aadhaar and PAN Cards Sold

 

VARANASI: A significant achievement has been made by the Cyber Crime Station in Varanasi as they have successfully captured the mastermind behind an interstate cybercrime gang. This gang was involved in a wide range of illegal activities, primarily operating through a fraudulent website called www.digitalportal.in. Their nefarious actions included producing counterfeit identification documents like Aadhaar cards and PAN cards, as well as establishing fake SIM cards and bank accounts.

The apprehension of the gang leader, known as Pankaj Kumar Yadav, is the result of the relentless and dedicated efforts of the Cyber Crime Station in Varanasi. This breakthrough marks a substantial step towards combating cybercrime and ensuring the safety and security of individuals in the digital realm.

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The gang employed a specific modus operandi to carry out their illegal activities. Here is a breakdown of their operations:

1. Creation of fraudulent accounts: The operator of the gang's website would establish fake accounts for individuals seeking their services. These accounts could be set up using either a mobile number or an email ID.

2. Website services: Once users logged into the website, they were presented with options to create counterfeit documents such as Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other digital records. To proceed, users had to provide their Aadhaar number and furnish personal details like their name, address, photograph, and other pertinent information.

3. Generation of fabricated documents: Following a short processing period, the website would generate counterfeit Aadhaar cards and PAN cards based on the submitted information. These fraudulent documents appeared authentic but were entirely fabricated.

4. Payment for document printing: Users desiring a printed copy of the fake Aadhaar card had to make a payment of INR 21, while the PAN card cost INR 50. The payments were processed through the designated payment gateway of the website.

5. Utilization of fraudulent documents: Once the payment was made and the fabricated documents were generated, the gang would exploit these counterfeit Aadhaar cards and PAN cards to open sham bank accounts and acquire mobile numbers. These acquired assets served as tools for conducting various cybercriminal activities.

6. Financial gains: The operator of the gang's website reportedly earned an estimated daily income of INR 25,000 from their operation. During the investigation, the seizure of the operator's laptop and mobile devices revealed their involvement in managing two additional websites along with associated payment gateways.

This comprehensive understanding of the gang's modus operandi sheds light on their organized scheme to exploit unsuspecting individuals and engage in various fraudulent activities. The successful apprehension of the gang leader brings justice and helps safeguard innocent individuals from falling victim to such cybercrimes.

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The police officials are currently engaged in an extensive investigation into the websites involved and the two payment gateways associated with the gang. Their goal is to uncover the full extent of the gang's activities and any potential connections they may have with other cybercriminal networks.

By employing their modus operandi, the gang managed to profit from their fraudulent creation of bank accounts and acquisition of mobile numbers. Simultaneously, they victimized unsuspecting individuals by involving them in various cybercrimes.

In response to previous crackdowns on cybercriminals, law enforcement authorities have recently taken action against a gang involved in fraudulent activities. This particular gang targeted retired policemen and paramilitary personnel, exploiting their provident fund and pension accounts to withdraw substantial sums of money.

The investigations carried out by the cybercrime police revealed that the arrested criminals employed deceptive tactics to deceive retired law enforcement officers. They posed as treasury officers and lured their victims with enticing schemes and offers. Once they obtained the retirees' Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other personal details, they proceeded to illicitly withdraw funds from their accounts.

Following the registration of the case, the dedicated team at the Cybercrime Police Station Varanasi worked tirelessly to investigate the matter. As a result of their efforts, eight individuals suspected of being involved in cybercrime have been apprehended.

During the interrogations, shocking details emerged regarding the accused individuals' modus operandi. They had been exploiting the website www.digitalportal.in for illegal activities, such as the unauthorized creation of Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other digital documents. Furthermore, the accused individuals were found to be acquiring mobile SIM cards and opening bank accounts using forged credentials.

These illicitly obtained bank accounts and mobile numbers were subsequently used to carry out various cybercrime incidents.

Throughout the investigation, the diligent team at the Cybercrime Police Station Varanasi managed to gather crucial information regarding the domain details of the website, hosting information, call panel logs, SSL logs, and payment gateway records. This information will undoubtedly aid in further unraveling the operations of the gang and bringing them to justice.

Source: https://www.the420.in/fake-documents-for-sale-busted-scammers-website-generates-counterfeit-aadhaar-and-pan-cards/