The Cybercrime police in Ahmedabad have arrested four individuals accused of orchestrating an advanced identity theft and banking fraud scheme that leveraged artificial intelligence to tamper with Aadhaar-linked data and generate counterfeit digital credentials, officials disclosed on Tuesday.
Case Registration and Initial Investigation
The case was registered on April 10 after a businessman from Thaltej filed a complaint alleging that the mobile number associated with his Aadhaar was changed without his consent. This unauthorized modification enabled the perpetrators to gain access to multiple digital platforms and banking services. Following the complaint, police launched an investigation that led to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
Details of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as Kanu Parmar (32), a resident of Zakhaliya Pura near Bhathiji temple in Borsad; Ashish Valand (27), a resident of Bhayli Canal Road in Vadodara, originally from Kareli village in Jambusar, Bharuch; Mohammad Kaif Patel (26), a resident of Madina Park Society on Bharuch Road in Jambusar; and Deep Gupta (29), a resident of Nilkanth Park Society in Odhav, Ahmedabad. All four were detained from their respective residences.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud
Investigations revealed that the accused operated through Common Service Centre (CSC) outlets and worked in a coordinated manner, with each member assigned a specific role. Parmar allegedly procured Aadhaar update kits, which were then routed by Valand to Patel for executing unauthorized modifications. Gupta was responsible for sourcing and sharing victim data, including photographs, to facilitate the fraud.
The accused illegally altered Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers using the kits and exploited OTP authentication to access platforms such as DigiLocker and banking services. They also employed AI-based tools to generate facial "blink" videos from static images, effectively bypassing biometric verification systems.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Based on technical surveillance and human intelligence inputs, the police tracked down the accused and arrested them. All four have been sent to judicial custody, and further investigation is underway to trace additional victims and possible accomplices.
Step-by-Step Modus Operandi
- Procure victims' Aadhaar data, mobile numbers, and photographs through unauthorized access or data leaks
- Use Aadhaar update (UCL) kits at CSC centres to illegally change registered mobile numbers
- Activate OTP authentication on the new numbers controlled by the accused
- Gain unauthorized access to platforms like DigiLocker and banking services
- Generate AI-based "live" facial videos (eye-blink clips) from static photos to bypass biometric/KYC checks
- Alter KYC details, including mobile numbers and email IDs, in digital records
- Use compromised identities to attempt bank account openings and loan inquiries on fintech platforms
- Operate in a coordinated network, each accused handling data sourcing, kit access, execution, and AI manipulation
Authorities continue to investigate the case, urging citizens to remain vigilant about their Aadhaar-linked information and report any suspicious activity immediately.
