Ahmedabad Others
10 fake passport cases busted in just eight months after RPO software upgrade
A major software upgrade at the Regional Passport Office (RPO) has blown the lid off a shocking passport fraud racket, with 10 cases of fake or tampered passports and documents detected in just eight months.
Officials said in some cases, the photograph on the passport belonged to one person while the name, address, and even biometric fingerprints belonged to another! All cases have now been reported to the police, and investigations are underway.RPO sources said the passport system software was upgraded in May 2025 to ensure faster processing and tighter security.
Currently, the RPO receives 3,000 to 3,500 applications daily for new and renewed passports. Following the May 2025 software upgrade, the system is able to instantly flag discrepancies.
An officer from the Gulbai Tekra RPO office said that they introduced chip-enabled e-passports from May 19, 2025, as per the Centre’s guidelines. “Along with that, a new high-tech software system with advanced security features was implemented, which has helped detect any irregularity in passport applications immediately.” With the new system, any tampering with old passport details or documents gets flagged instantly.
The cases
In December 2025, an applicant who already possessed a valid passport tried to obtain another passport under a different name. During scrutiny, officials found that the applicant had tampered with Aadhaar card details, including name, surname, and address, to apply for a fresh passport.
In another case, officials during the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) process discovered that the applicant was holding two passports under different names.
“In such cases, we immediately file a police complaint. The application is put on hold until the police investigation is completed. The passport is cancelled after verification,” said an official.
Immigration rackets
Sources said many such attempts are linked to illegal immigration rackets. “Some individuals who had earlier gone abroad illegally try to change their identity to obtain a fresh passport. Others facing police or court cases attempt to hide their real identity and flee the country under a fake name. But with the new high-tech system, such frauds are caught instantly,” RPO sources revealed.
New system benefits
The Passport Seva Programme 2.0 (PSP V2.0) and the rollout of chip-enabled e-passports have ensured several benefits.
Speedy Processing: Faster clearance of applications through modern technology.
Chip-Enabled E-Passports: RFID chip storing biometric data to prevent identity theft.
Upgraded Website & App: Auto-filled forms, easy document uploads, and UPI/QR payment options.
AI Assistance: 24/7 chatbot and voice-bot support for applicants.
