Fake Ayushman Card Scam in UP and Punjab: 300 IDs Seized in Major Fraud

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have exposed a massive fake Ayushman card scam that has shocked the healthcare system. Over 300 counterfeit Ayushman Bharat health insurance cards were discovered, all generated using fake identities of SACHIS officials — the agency responsible for issuing Ayushman IDs under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

How the Scam Operated

The fraudulent activity came to light during the Diwali holidays when scammers hacked into the official Ayushman Bharat portal. They created fake IDs of SACHIS officials and manipulated mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar cards to bypass the verification process. This allowed them to generate fake Ayushman cards and distribute them to unsuspecting residents in Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Jalandhar.

Officials revealed that the perpetrators blocked the OTP system, preventing genuine officials from receiving approval messages. The fake data was then used to issue fraudulent health cards, compromising the integrity of the welfare scheme.

Immediate Action by Authorities

Once detected, the government swiftly suspended over 300 fake IDs and launched a police probe. An FIR was filed at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station by State Nodal Officer Sachin Vaishya. The investigation will determine whether any internal involvement from SACHIS officials aided the scam.

Authorities have also initiated an audit of all Ayushman cards issued in the past six months to identify similar irregularities. The review aims to tighten verification mechanisms and enhance cyber safeguards for welfare schemes.

Impact and Concern

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched to provide free health coverage to millions of economically weaker citizens, has once again come under scrutiny due to loopholes in its digital security framework. This fake Ayushman card nexus not only highlights the need for better monitoring but also exposes how cyber frauds are exploiting government welfare systems.

Experts suggest integrating biometric verification and multi-layered security systems to prevent future misuse of public welfare data.

Conclusion

The exposure of the fake Ayushman card scam in UP and Punjab serves as a wake-up call for authorities to strengthen digital and verification protocols under AB-PMJAY. With growing reliance on digital governance, robust cyber protection remains crucial to maintaining public trust in India’s welfare initiatives.