Rs 382 Crore Tax Notice Exposes Aadhaar and PAN Misuse Scam in Thane
Rs 382 Crore Tax Notice Exposes Aadhaar and PAN Misuse Scam in Thane
A shocking case of financial fraud has emerged in Thane, where a real estate agent received an income tax notice accusing him of transactions totaling Rs 382 crore. This revelation has uncovered a large-scale scam involving the misuse of his Aadhaar and PAN details. The above, lead to the establishment of multiple fraudulent bank accounts and shell companies.
The ordeal began in 2022 when the victim, approached by an acquaintance with a job offer. He was promised a monthly salary of Rs 20,000, unwittingly he provided his personal documents, including his Aadhaar card, PAN card, photographs and a signed cheque. According to police reports, the prime suspect, along with two accomplices, exploited these documents to open numerous bank accounts and create fictitious businesses, including a proprietorship. These accounts facilitated extensive financial transactions, amounting to an astonishing Rs 382 crore.
The scam came to light when the complainant received an inquiry from the Income Tax Department about the significant financial activities associated with his name. Alarmed, he reported the situation to the cybercrime police, who subsequently registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Authorities revealed that the accused manipulated the victim’s personal documents to execute illegal financial operations and facilitate money laundering through the bogus firms. Police officials emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “They opened multiple bank accounts used for large-scale money laundering.”
In light of this incident, law enforcement agencies have issued warnings to the public about the dangers of sharing personal documents, as such scams are becoming increasingly common. Additionally, they highlighted a recent wave of bank fraud, particularly targeting debit and credit card users.
This newer scam typically starts with a pre-recorded call informing the victim about a significant transaction made using their debit or credit card. The fraudster, impersonating a bank officer, offers to assist with lodging a cyber complaint regarding the transaction and prompts the victim to press #9 on their phone. However, this call is entirely fraudulent, as neither the issuing bank nor any representative initiated it.
Authorities urge individuals to remain vigilant and protect their personal information to avoid falling victim to such scams.
