Aadhaar Card scams are increasing daily. Many innocent individuals are becoming the prey to these fraudsters. Finding loopholes in the system and using them to defraud the Aadhaar users financially or for their sensitive information is their specialty. One such case has surfaced in which scammers have linked around 656 SIM Cards to a single Aadhaar card.
Multiple SIM Cards Linked to a Single Aadhaar
The cybercrime unit of Tamil Nadu has recently come across a series of illicit activities involving the fraudulent use of Aadhaar cards to gain access to multiple SIM cards. A particularly alarming case revealed that a single individual had cunningly managed to amass an astonishing 100-150 mobile connections using just one Aadhaar number. Responding promptly, the cybercrime division has initiated proactive steps by reaching out to various mobile service providers, ensuring the prompt cancellation of these dubious connections.
Over the preceding four months, a significant crackdown has been witnessed in Tamil Nadu, leading to the suspension of approximately 25,135 SIM cards due to their suspected involvement in illicit activities. Meanwhile, in an intriguing incident unfolding in Vijayawada, a perplexing scenario emerged as a staggering 658 SIM cards were astonishingly issued under a single photo ID, all meticulously registered in the name of Polukonda Naveen. Interestingly, Naveen has made quite a name for himself by orchestrating the distribution of these SIM cards to a myriad of mobile establishments and kiosks across the area.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) detected fraudulent activities using their advanced AI toolkit, ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition Powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification). This tool automatically identified and blocked SIM cards obtained with fake identity proofs. By analyzing images of SIM card holders from various operators, they revealed a concerning trend: multiple SIM cards acquired with just one photo.
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To tackle this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP) portal. This platform lets users verify phone numbers linked to their Aadhaar cards. By entering their mobile number on the official website and using a One-Time Password (OTP), individuals can view the registered mobile numbers associated with their Aadhaar card.
Check How Many Mobile Numbers are Linked to Your Aadhaar Card:
- First, visit the official website.
- Now scroll down and click on ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ options.
- Next, enter your Mobile Number and captcha code.
- You will receive an OTP on your mobile, enter the OTP and click on Login.
- Now you will be able to see how many connections are in your name.
