The Lucknow Police have busted an inter-state solver gang that used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manipulate photographs and send imposters to appear for the IBPS Clerk Exam 2025 in place of real candidates. Officials confirmed that 10 people have been arrested for their involvement in the racket. The gang reportedly altered admit card photos using AI tools to achieve up to 70 per cent facial resemblance between the actual candidates and the impersonators, allowing them to clear identity checks during the examination process.
I found this story important to cover because it highlights a serious misuse of AI technology and the growing threat of cheating networks exploiting competitive exams. The IBPS Clerk Exam is one of the most sought-after banking recruitment tests in India, and such incidents raise concerns about the integrity of the system. The use of deepfake-style technology to bypass verification shows how exam authorities and law enforcement must now address digital-era frauds more proactively. It’s also a wake-up call for candidates to avoid unethical shortcuts that can destroy careers and undermine fairness in public examinations.
Lucknow Police Crack Down on High-Tech Exam Scam
According to DCP (Lucknow South) Nipun Agarwal, the accused were arrested after a detailed operation conducted by the Bijnor police station team, which had been tracking the gang’s activities. The group had been operating across multiple states, offering proxy exam services to aspirants willing to pay large sums of money to clear recruitment tests.
The police seized a large number of digital and physical items during the raid, including:
- 16 mobile phones
- 21 duplicate identity cards
- 9 Aadhaar cards
- 7 pen drives
- 1 laptop and 1 tablet
- Dozens of manipulated photographs and fake admit cards
- ₹1.53 lakh in cash
Officials said the recovered devices are being examined for digital evidence, including software tools used for AI photo editing and communication records that may lead to other members of the racket.
Who Are the Accused?
Those arrested have been identified as Anand Kumar, Gaurav Aditya, Harsh Joshi, Bhagirath Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dhananjay Saurabh, Rajeev Nayan Pandey, Ashish Ranjan, and Abhishek Kumar. Another accused, also named Abhishek Kumar, was arrested earlier from Sitamarhi in Bihar.
The accused allegedly acted as mediators, coordinators, and tech handlers for the operation. Police said that some were responsible for recruiting impersonators, while others worked on AI-based photo tampering and ID creation. The gang was reportedly earning lakhs of rupees by offering these fraudulent services to candidates appearing for competitive government exams.
How the Racket Operated
Police investigations revealed that the solver gang’s modus operandi was both technically advanced and well-coordinated. Candidates who struggled with preparations or feared failing the IBPS exam were approached through secret networks. Once the deal was finalised, the gang:
- Collected the candidate’s original documents and admit card.
- Used AI-based face morphing software to edit the admit card photograph, blending the real candidate’s face with that of the impersonator.
- Created a fake ID for the solver that matched the edited photo.
- Sent the impersonator to take the exam at the designated centre.
This manipulation allowed the imposters to pass visual identification at exam centres, which rely largely on photo verification rather than biometric scanning.
Police Investigation and Future Action
DCP Nipun Agarwal said that the operation was part of a broader investigation into exam-related fraud in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states. “The use of AI in such crimes is a worrying trend. The accused used face-editing software to generate near-perfect matches, making detection difficult,” he told reporters.
He added that the cybercrime unit has been roped in to trace the digital trail of the suspects. Police are also checking if the gang has been involved in similar frauds in other national-level exams such as SSC, Railways, and State PSCs.
IBPS Likely to Strengthen Verification Measures
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), which conducts recruitment exams for banks across India, is expected to take stricter measures following the incident. Officials said that IBPS may soon introduce AI-based facial recognition systems or biometric verification at test centres to prevent impersonation.
Such steps are crucial as over 10 lakh candidates appear for IBPS exams annually, making them a frequent target for organised cheating networks. In recent years, police have busted several “solver gangs” that rely on fake IDs, Bluetooth devices, and now, AI-powered image manipulation.
Use of AI Tools in Exam Fraud – A Growing Concern
The case also sheds light on the darker side of Artificial Intelligence. While AI tools are designed for creative and productive use, they are increasingly being misused in crimes like identity theft, online scams, and academic fraud.
The Lucknow case demonstrates how easily available AI-powered photo-editing tools can be repurposed to breach exam security protocols. Experts warn that with such technology becoming more accessible, authorities must adopt tech-based countermeasures and strengthen their data security systems.
Public Reaction and Awareness
The news of the arrest has triggered strong reactions on social media, with many demanding stricter laws and punishments for those involved in exam-related crimes. Educators and career experts have also urged students to stay away from fraudulent shortcuts, stressing that cheating destroys credibility and long-term career prospects.
Police have assured that the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests are likely as teams track financial transactions and digital communication linked to the gang.
