Aadhaar Data Breach: 1,500+ Identities Compromised Across 12 States

A major security breach has been uncovered in India's Aadhaar system, with Uttar Pradesh police dismantling a sophisticated fraud network that manipulated the biometric data of over 1,500 citizens. Four individuals have been arrested, including a suspected mastermind with technical expertise.   

The cybercrime ring, centered in Badaun and Amroha, exploited weaknesses in the UIDAI system, creating fake websites that mirrored official Aadhaar and Passport portals. These platforms allowed them to alter crucial personal details like names, birthdates, and addresses for fees ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.   

Operating through a network of 200-300 agents across 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi, the gang bypassed security measures by cloning legitimate operator credentials and using tampered fingerprint scanners. They also forged supporting documents like ration cards and birth certificates to legitimize the fraudulent changes.   

Alarmingly, when stricter verification protocols were implemented, the group shifted to creating counterfeit passports, some of which were successfully uploaded into the UIDAI database. Over 400 forged documents have been recovered, and investigations are ongoing to identify additional members and assess the full extent of the damage.

This breach raises critical questions about the security of India's national identity system and highlights the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect citizens' sensitive data.