If you believe that turning on Two-Factor Authentication or blocking spam calls keeps you safe online, it’s time to reconsider.
A shocking report has revealed that a Telegram bot is selling highly sensitive personal data, including Aadhaar numbers, addresses, voter ID, PAN numbers, and more — all for just ₹99.
Telegram Bot Selling Private Data
According to a report by Digit, the Telegram bot (name not disclosed to avoid misuse) is openly offering personal data for sale.
By simply entering a mobile number, the bot instantly provides full personal details.
Even more worrying, the service offers unlimited monthly access for ₹4,999.
The report states that the Digit team tested the bot and found that within seconds, they received complete profiles, including:
- Name
- Father’s name
- Current and previous addresses
- Alternate phone numbers
- Aadhaar-related details
Data Believed to Be From Past Breaches
It is suspected that this personal data was gathered from previous data breaches involving:
- Public utility services
- Fintech applications
- Telecom companies
- Though some of the data is 3–4 years old, it is still accurate enough to be misused for:
- Identity theft
- Fake KYC verifications
- Loan frauds
- SIM cloning
- Bank scams
- Creating fake social media or financial accounts
- Even targeting someone’s family
How to Protect Yourself
While it may be impossible to stay 100% safe, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:
- Lock your Aadhaar by visiting the official UIDAI website
- Be careful of suspicious SIM porting requests or fake KYC messages
- Report any unusual activity by calling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in
