India’s push toward digital identity has brought speed and convenience to daily life, but it has also opened the door to new and dangerous forms of fraud. Recent cybercrime cases from multiple states, including Gujarat, reveal a disturbing trend: criminals are misusing Aadhaar-linked biometric data to quietly empty bank accounts—often without the victim realizing anything is wrong until it’s too late.

What makes this scam particularly alarming is that fraudsters are not relying only on fake calls or phishing links. Instead, they are exploiting biometric authentication, SIM deactivation, and Aadhaar-linked banking services to bypass traditional security checks.

According to police and cybercrime officials, scammers are now using cloned fingerprint data to impersonate account holders. Initially, biometric fraud was mostly limited to misuse in ration shops and welfare schemes. However, the scope has expanded rapidly.

In recent cases reported from rural areas such as Kutch and Kheda, criminals used tampered biometric data to access Aadhaar-enabled payment systems (AePS). Once authenticated, they were able to withdraw money directly from victims’ bank accounts linked to Aadhaar.

Because biometric verification does not always require an OTP or physical bank visit, victims often remain unaware until they check their balance.

A more dangerous variation of the scam has now emerged in urban regions like Ahmedabad and nearby districts. Here, fraudsters first manage to block or deactivate the victim’s SIM card or Aadhaar-linked services.

Once the SIM is disabled:

• Bank alerts stop arriving

• OTPs are no longer received

• Victims cannot track transactions in real time

During this window, fraudsters withdraw large sums without raising suspicion. In one reported case from Nadiad, a hotel manager lost over ₹3 lakh, discovering the theft only after visiting the bank.

This scam is particularly effective because it combines multiple layers of manipulation:

• Biometric cloning removes the need for passwords

• SIM blocking prevents alerts

• Aadhaar-linked banking enables instant withdrawals

As a result, even financially aware individuals can become victims without making any obvious mistake.

Cyber experts advise being alert to the following red flags:

• Sudden loss of mobile network without reason

• Aadhaar or SIM services stopping unexpectedly

• Bank balance changing without transaction alerts

Any of these could indicate an ongoing fraud attempt.

Authorities recommend taking these preventive steps seriously:

• Never share Aadhaar details, fingerprints, or OTPs

• Ensure your Aadhaar and bank accounts are linked only to your personal mobile number

• Regularly check bank statements and balances

• Lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the UIDAI portal

• If your SIM stops working suddenly, contact your telecom provider immediately

• Report suspected fraud to your bank and the cybercrime helpline (1930) without delay

As India becomes increasingly digital, the responsibility of security is shared between systems and citizens. Fraudsters thrive on ignorance and delay. Understanding how these scams work is the first step toward preventing financial loss.

This emerging Aadhaar biometric scam is a strong reminder that technology must be matched with vigilance. A few minutes of caution can save years of hard-earned savings.