Scam: Are your PAN and Aadhaar cards for sale on the 'dark web'? How is data leaked for ₹500?

Nowadays, every Indian has an Aadhaar and a PAN card. These are our identity. Everything from opening a bank account to getting a loan depends on them. But a shocking truth is that your Aadhaar number, name, address, photo, phone number, and PAN details are sold on the dark web for just 500 rupees. This isn't a movie story, but a recurring reality.

The dark web is that dark corner of the internet that isn't accessible through Google or Chrome. Here, hackers buy and sell stolen data. Any ordinary person can contact an agent on WhatsApp or Telegram and get their work done.

In 2018, the Tribune newspaper revealed that for 500 rupees, you can get anyone's complete Aadhaar data. The agent provides the user ID and password, and you can view the name, address, and photo by visiting the UIDAI website. For a little more money, fake cards can also be printed.

The UIDAI denied this, but also filed a case against the reporter. Now, let's talk about the major leak. In 2023, the data of 815 million Indians was sold on the dark web for a mere $80,000 (approximately 6.7 million rupees). This translates to a pittance per person.

Data sold for 2.5 lakh rupees
In 2024, the mobile numbers, home addresses, and Aadhaar data of 750 million people were sold for just 2.5 lakh rupees. This data is leaked from government sites like CoWIN and ICMR, banks, telecom companies, and online apps.

Internal employees often sell data for money. Phishing attacks often involve people sharing OTPs or other details. When data is leaked, the risk is enormous. Anyone can take out a loan in your name, empty your bank account, or create fraudulent documents. Identity theft can lead to years of distress.
The government claims that Aadhaar is secure and that biometric data is not leaked. However, new leaks continue to emerge every year. A new data protection law has been enacted, but it appears to be lacking in strictness.

So what should we do?

Never click on unknown links.

Never share OTPs with anyone.

Use strong passwords.
Regularly check your data by visiting the UIDAI website.
If in doubt, file a complaint on the cybercrime portal.
Inform friends and family.
It is our responsibility to be vigilant in Digital India. Your entire life can be sold for 500 rupees, so it is important to be cautious starting today.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.