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The accused with the team of Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch. (Photo: Media House)

Guwahati, May 9: The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has apprehended two individuals from Assam linked to a sophisticated cyber fraud operation that utilized artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos for manipulating Aadhaar authentication processes.

The arrested suspects, Kazimuddin, aged 49, and 24-year-old Rabbul Hussain, are both from Morigaon district.

Authorities have indicated that these two were instrumental in running the fraudulent network, while another suspect, Oli Ullah, is currently on the run.

With the recent arrests, including that of Krishna Prajapati from Uttar Pradesh, the total number of individuals detained in this case has risen to seven.

According to the Cyber Crime Branch, the group targeted affluent individuals by acquiring GST numbers and PAN card information from online sources, subsequently extracting associated mobile numbers and Aadhaar data.

Investigators claim that the suspects utilized images gathered from digital payment platforms and social media sites such as PhonePe, Google Pay, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to produce AI-generated deepfake videos that could deceive Aadhaar biometric verification systems.

“The suspects employed advanced methods to circumvent digital verification processes. They generated eye-blinking deepfake videos from Aadhaar images to simulate live biometric checks,” stated a Cyber Crime Branch official.

Law enforcement revealed that the gang exploited vulnerabilities in the Aadhaar-linked mobile number update systems via Common Service Centres (CSCs).

Once they replaced a victim's registered mobile number with a SIM card under their control, they allegedly accessed DigiLocker accounts, OTPs, Aadhaar services, and banking platforms.

Cyber Crime DCP Dr. Lavina Sinha noted that the suspects then opened bank accounts, secured instant personal loans, and transferred funds through various accounts to evade detection. Investigators estimate that the operation generated between ₹10 lakh and ₹15 lakh annually through fraudulent loans.

Authorities allege that Rabbul Hussain was responsible for AI-based identity theft activities alongside the absconding Oli Ullah. Furthermore, Kazimuddin reportedly facilitated the routing of fraudulent loan proceeds through his bank accounts for a commission.

The investigation began after an Ahmedabad businessman reported that he had stopped receiving OTPs related to his Aadhaar payment system. He later found out that his Aadhaar-linked mobile number and biometric data had been altered without his consent, leading to loans being taken out in his name.

The case has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify more victims and uncover the full scale of this interstate cyber fraud operation.