Fraudulent websites mimicking DigiLocker, UIDAI, and income tax portals harvest your Aadhaar and PAN for identity theft. With your Aadhaar number and OTP, scammers can open bank accounts or take loans in your name.
What Is This Scam?
Scammers create websites with names like aadhaar-update.in or pancard-correction.com that look identical to official government portals. They appear in Google search results through paid ads. Victims who enter their Aadhaar and OTP give scammers everything needed for full identity theft.
How It Works
- 1Victim searches for Aadhaar update or PAN correction on Google.
- 2A sponsored fake website appears at the top of results.
- 3Victim enters their Aadhaar number and receives a real OTP on their mobile.
- 4Enters the OTP on the fake site giving scammer full authenticated access.
- 5Scammer uses authenticated Aadhaar to open bank accounts or apply for loans.
⚠ Red Flags to Watch For
- Website URL is not on the official .gov.in domain
- Website found through a Google ad rather than organic results
- Asked for your full Aadhaar number and OTP on the same form
- Page design looks slightly different from the real government portal
- Requests payment for a government service that is actually free
What to Do If You Are Targeted
Close the website immediately. If you have shared your Aadhaar and OTP, call UIDAI at 1947 and request an Aadhaar lock. File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Check your CIBIL report for unknown loans. Report the fake website to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
✅ Stay Safe Checklist
- Official government portals always end in .gov.in
- Bookmark uidai.gov.in and incometax.gov.in — only use your bookmarks
- Never enter your Aadhaar OTP on any non .gov.in website
- You can lock your Aadhaar biometrics at uidai.gov.in/myaadhaar
- Check your CIBIL score regularly for unauthorised credit activity