Police in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly have dismantled a cyber fraudulent syndicate operating a fake Ayushman Bharat card racket by arresting five individuals involved in the operation. The Bhojipura police station team uncovered the fraud after learning that the suspects targeted vulnerable residents with promises of free healthcare services under the flagship government scheme. Using collected identity documents, the gang manipulated records to create fraudulent health cards and siphon off government funds.
Document Tampering and Hospital Collusion
Initial investigations reveal that the perpetrators systematically approached underprivileged citizens, promising to secure free medical treatment for their families under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Under this pretext, they collected crucial personal identification documents from victims, including Aadhaar cards, Ration cards, and other government-issued papers. The suspects then altered these genuine documents to generate counterfeit Ayushman identity cards.
A critical dimension of the investigation centers on alleged collusion between the fraudsters and specific empanelled hospitals. Investigators found that fake medical claims and billing records were drawn up for individuals who had never actually received treatment at those facilities. By submitting these fabricated claims, the syndicate attempted to illicitly draw monetary reimbursements from government healthcare funds allocated for eligible citizens.
Financial Extortion and Expanding Police Probe
During custodial interrogation, the arrested suspects disclosed crucial details regarding their modus operandi and broader network. It was revealed that in addition to attempting government fund embezzlement, the gang extorted thousands of rupees from innocent victims under the guise of processing fees for the cards. The Bhojipura police are currently auditing records to ascertain the total number of fake cards created and the exact amount of government money fraudulently claimed.
Law enforcement authorities are thoroughly examining hospital admission registers and clearance logs associated with the scheme. Police officials confirmed that all individuals involved in facilitating these fraudulent transactions, including hospital management personnel or staff found complicit, will face severe legal consequences as the probe expands.
Health Department Awareness Drive and Helpline Measures
Following the uncovering of the racket, the Bareilly district health administration initiated proactive measures to prevent further exploitation of citizens. Under the directives of Bareilly Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Vishram Singh, comprehensive awareness banners have been installed at the main entrances and reception desks of all empanelled government and private hospitals across the district.
These public notices prominently display official grievance and inquiry contact information, including the State Helpline at 1800-1800-4444 and the Central Government Helpline at 14555. Additionally, direct telephone numbers for key local administrators, such as the District Nodal Officer, District Coordinator, and District Grievance Redressal Officer, have been made readily accessible to the public.
Official Advisory Against Unverified Middlemen
The health department has issued a stern advisory urging all potential beneficiaries to remain vigilant and avoid dealing with unauthorized agents or unfamiliar individuals. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vishram Singh cautioned citizens against sharing their Aadhaar cards, Ration cards, or other identity documents without proper verification from official health officials.
Authorities emphasized that the Ayushman Bharat scheme does not involve intermediary fees. Citizens who encounter requests for cash, receive suspicious phone calls, or face obstacles while seeking medical treatment are advised to immediately report the incidents to the designated helpline numbers or directly contact health department officials.
