Fake ID Racket Busted in Malda, Owner Arrested, Two Detained
Overwritten Age on Aadhaar & EPICs Raises Suspicion, Leads to Raids on Computer Centre
Fake IDs Expose Malda Racket: Shop Owner Busted, Bihar Duo Held for ATM Fraud
Malda, West Bengal: A vigilant eye at a government camp unraveled a fake ID racket operating in Malda district on Monday, leading to the arrest of the mastermind and the detention of two associates. Bikram Mandal, owner of a computer center, is now in custody at Mothabari police station, facing charges of issuing forged Aadhaar cards and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).
The scam came to light at a Duare Sarkar camp in Kaliachak II block, where two women attempted to enroll for the old age pension scheme. Suspicions arose when camp officials noticed inconsistencies in the ages mentioned on their presented IDs. Upon questioning, the women confessed to paying Rs 500 for the fake documents at Mandal's computer center.
Acting swiftly, district administration officials raided the center and apprehended Mandal. Two other individuals were also detained for interrogation to uncover the extent of the racket and potential involvement in other illegal activities.
"We have information about several computer centers involved in issuing fake IDs," said an official from the district administration. "A thorough investigation is underway, and strict action will be taken against all perpetrators."
This incident also sheds light on a separate fraud ring involving two individuals from Bihar, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Mohammad Arbaz Khan. Arrested by Englishbazar police, the duo reportedly targeted ATMs across the district, duping customers and illegally withdrawing funds. Their connection to the fake ID racket is currently under investigation.
Bipratim Basak, the BDO of Kaliachak II, stressed the importance of vigilance and awareness amidst these fraudulent activities. "We have alerted all camp employees to remain vigilant and ensure no one exploits government schemes through illegal means," he stated.
The Malda racket bust serves as a cautionary tale for both authorities and citizens, highlighting the need for robust verification procedures and increased public awareness to combat such deceptive practices. The ongoing investigation promises to shed further light on the extent of the network and potentially disrupt similar operations in the region.
