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
