A woman from Shahkot, Punjab, has reported being defrauded of Rs 11,59,050 after an unidentified individual made unauthorized withdrawals from her bank account through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) over a period spanning more than four years.
Complaint and Police Action
The complainant, Sudha Rani, wife of Satvir and a resident of Shahkot, stated in her complaint that the fraudulent transactions occurred between February 2022 and June 2026 without her knowledge. The Shahkot police have registered a case against an unidentified accused under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on her application.
Investigating officer Inspector Harbir Singh is handling the case. Police have confirmed that the fraud came to light after the complainant's application, leading to the lodging of an FIR. Efforts are underway to identify the accused and trace the fraudulent transactions.
Modus Operandi: AEPS Exploitation
The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System allows bank transactions using Aadhaar authentication. In this case, the perpetrator allegedly exploited the system to withdraw funds repeatedly over a long period. The total amount stolen is Rs 11,59,050, with transactions spread across more than four years.
Investigation and Next Steps
Inspector Harbir Singh and his team are investigating the matter. They are analyzing transaction records and attempting to trace the IP addresses or devices used for the fraudulent withdrawals. The police have urged the public to monitor their bank statements regularly and report any suspicious activity immediately.
This case highlights the vulnerability of digital payment systems to fraud. Authorities advise Aadhaar users to enable transaction alerts and secure their biometric data to prevent similar incidents.
