Ahmedabad Aadhaar fraud racket used deepfakes to alter victim's mobile number
Ahmedabad police arrested four persons for running an identity fraud racket that used AI-generated deepfake videos to bypass Aadhaar's facial authentication system and change a businessman's registered mobile number. The accused then used the compromised credentials to open bank accounts and apply for loans.
What happened
Ahmedabad Cyber Cell arrested four persons for orchestrating an identity fraud racket using deepfake technology and illegally accessed Aadhaar-linked biometric systems. The accused altered victims' registered mobile numbers, opened bank accounts, and applied for loans using compromised Aadhaar credentials.
The fraud involved creating AI-generated deepfake videos from the complainant Amit Patel's photograph to bypass Aadhaar's facial authentication process. Police said the accused used manipulated videos to simulate blinking and facial movement, then changed the mobile number linked to Patel's Aadhaar through unauthorised update kits operated by Common Service Centre (CSC) operators.
Reported impact
Amit Patel, a businessman and director of Bonneville Foods Private Limited, discovered that the mobile number linked to his Aadhaar had been changed without his knowledge. His Aadhaar profile was altered and linked to another mobile number and email address, and his compromised credentials were used to access DigiLocker, activate banking services, and apply for personal loans through digital lending platforms including RKBansal, True Credits and EarlySalary.
Index analysis
The case demonstrates how deepfake video technology can be weaponised to breach biometric authentication systems. The accused exploited vulnerabilities in Aadhaar update procedures by using AI-generated facial videos to circumvent facial verification controls.
Governance controls
The fraud exploited gaps in the governance of Common Service Centres, with multiple CSC operators allegedly supplying Aadhaar update kits and facilitating unauthorised changes to victim data in exchange for commission.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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