According to a report by the integrated identity platform IDfy, Maharashtra experienced the highest number of fraudulent attempts related to video KYC verification during the months of September and October. The report indicated that there were over 23,406 fraudulent attempts during this period, compared to 17,164 attempts recorded from March to April.
The findings are based on around 5.7 million video KYC verifications conducted across India, pinpointing numerous instances where fraudsters attempted to falsely onboard onto various platforms by either impersonating someone else’s identity or manipulating KYC documents.
In terms of the distribution of these fraudulent activities, IDfy noted that nearly half of all reported attempts were identified in the states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Additionally, the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar also ranked among the top ten states for fraud during both April and October, indicating that these regions have become established hotspots for such activities.
Interestingly, some border areas, including Alwar, Deeg, West Champaran, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Birbhum, consistently showed higher levels of fraud attempts compared to inland areas. The report suggests that operating from border regions provides criminals with a tactical advantage, allowing them to easily escape into neighboring states.
Ashok Hariharan, the CEO and Co-Founder of IDfy, emphasized the importance of developing adaptive fraud detection strategies. He stated, “This study highlights the pressing need for businesses to remain agile and responsive. Fraudsters continuously evolve, and today’s hotspots may shift rapidly. Organizations must anticipate and react to changing patterns to effectively combat fraud.”
