In a major fraud case, authorities in Budaun district, Uttar Pradesh have discovered that nearly 40,000 fake birth certificates were created using hacked gram panchayat IDs and mobile numbers. The scam highlights serious weaknesses in the state’s online documentation system and raises concerns about misuse for illegal activities.
How the Scam Was Carried Out
Budaun Birth Certificate Scam
Hackers exploited loopholes in the Civil Registration System (CRS) that is used to generate birth and death certificates. Here’s how they managed it:
- Stolen Access:
- Each gram panchayat has a unique login ID and mobile number for its secretary.
- Hackers obtained these credentials, possibly through phishing, weak passwords, or insider help.
- Changing Linked Details:
- The hackers changed the registered mobile numbers and email IDs linked to these accounts.
- By doing this, the OTP (One-Time Password) verification system was bypassed.
- Mass Upload of Fake Data:
- Once inside the system, they began entering fake birth details in bulk.
- Since the system trusts panchayat logins, the entries were automatically accepted as genuine.
- No Alert to Officials:
- The original panchayat officials were unaware because their phones and emails were replaced.
- This allowed the hackers to operate undetected for months.
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Scale of the Fraud
The scale is shocking, especially when compared with the actual population of the villages:
| Village / Block | Population | Fake Certificates Generated | Ratio of Fake Docs to Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazara (Usawan block) | ~1,700 | 18,000 | 10x higher |
| Phulasi (Uzani block) | ~2,500–3,000 | 15,000 | 5–6x higher |
| Sainjani (Dataganj block) | ~3,000–3,500 | 4,000 | Above real count |
| Total (Budaun district) | — | Nearly 40,000 | — |
👉 In Hazara alone, the number of fake certificates is 10 times more than the population of the village!
How It Was Discovered
- The fraud came to light when the District Magistrate (DM) of Budaun was asked to explain discrepancies in birth records, similar to a recent scam in Aligarh district.
- Suspicious numbers prompted an investigation.
- The DM directed panchayat secretaries to check their records.
- When the fraud was confirmed, separate FIRs were lodged at Uzani Kotwali and Usawan police stations.
Possible Motives Behind the Fraud
Authorities fear these fake certificates could be used for multiple illegal purposes, such as:
- Identity Fraud: Creating fake Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or even passports.
- Government Benefits: Accessing welfare schemes, subsidies, or quotas meant for real citizens.
- Education/Jobs: Enrolling in schools, colleges, or applying for jobs with fake age details.
- Property/Loans: Claiming inheritance rights or securing loans with fraudulent documents.
- Migration & Crime: Helping criminals, traffickers, or illegal migrants establish false identities.
Government’s Response
The Uttar Pradesh government has taken the issue seriously and initiated corrective steps:
- Strict Monitoring: Orders issued for close monitoring of the online birth/death certificate system.
- District-Level Accountability: DMs and Block Development Officers made responsible for preventing such misuse.
- System Audit: Technical audits of the CRS platform to detect security loopholes.
- Investigation: FIRs registered, and police are trying to trace the hackers and their network.
- Future Safeguards: Plans to introduce multi-factor authentication (like Aadhaar-based login or biometric checks) for panchayat officials.
Wider Implications
This scam is not just about Budaun. It points to a statewide and possibly nationwide vulnerability:
- Similar scams were already reported in Aligarh.
- If hackers can manipulate the birth certificate system, it raises doubts about the authenticity of many official records.
- Since birth certificates are the foundation of identity, any compromise threatens the integrity of all linked documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and passports.
Conclusion
The Budaun birth certificate scam is a wake-up call for authorities. With nearly 40,000 fake documents created, it shows how weak cybersecurity in rural governance systems can lead to massive fraud. The misuse of such certificates could have serious consequences for national security, welfare distribution, and public trust in government systems.
The investigation is ongoing, but one thing is clear: unless stronger digital safeguards are implemented, similar scams could continue across India.
Also read : How to Digitize Old Birth Certificates in West Bengal Online