Bengaluru’s Hebbagodi police have successfully apprehended a 25-year-old ITI graduate, who stands accused of operating a sophisticated fake government identification and certificate racket for the past year.
The alleged mastermind, identified as Raghuveer from Anekal, ran a cyber cafe on Bhavani Road in Hebbagodi. From this seemingly ordinary establishment, he allegedly produced a range of counterfeit documents, including government ID cards and educational certificates. His illicit services came with a steep price tag: fake Aadhaar cards were sold for ₹2,000 to ₹10,000, while forged educational documents, such as SSLC and PU marks cards, commanded a hefty ₹50,000.
According to police officials, many clients sought fake Aadhaar cards primarily for booking hotel accommodations. Raghuveer reportedly provided a unique piece of advice to those purchasing fake SSLC and PU marks cards: use them exclusively for private sector jobs to minimize the risk of detection.
Acting on a confidential tip-off, a dedicated police team, spearheaded by Inspector Somashekhar, dispatched an undercover officer to procure a fake ID card. Once the criminal activity was definitively confirmed, law enforcement swiftly raided the cyber cafe.
During the raid, authorities confiscated electronic equipment and mobile phones from Raghuveer and his 19-year-old associate, Yashwanth, who is a PU dropout. Both individuals are now in custody.