Inconsistent address records in Bangladesh government databases fuel fraud and bureaucratic delays, with criminals exploiting gaps to create fake NIDs.
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| In Bangladesh, inconsistent address records complicate identity verification and facilitate fraudulent NIDs, undermining governance and law enforcement. Image: ChicHue |
Dhaka, Bangladesh— February 8, 2025:
Millions of Bangladeshis are caught in a web of address inconsistencies within government digital databases, creating bureaucratic hurdles and enabling criminal activities, such as the creation of fraudulent National Identity Cards (NIDs).
Inaccurate places or address records are widespread, with siblings in the same household sometimes listed at different addresses, and multiple variations of the same location appearing in government systems. This lack of standardization complicates essential tasks like birth registration, NID issuance, passport applications, land registration, and higher education admissions. Worse, these inconsistencies are exploited by criminals to generate multiple NIDs, facilitating fraud.
Rashida Begum, who recently applied for an e-passport in Agargaon, found herself flagged for holding two NIDs—numbers 8207930457 and 7302567149. The passport office has referred the case to the Election Commission for further investigation. According to the Election Commission, around 500,000 cases of dual NIDs have been identified nationwide, with 29 cases in the small town of Sadullapur alone. Many of these fraudulent records slip through due to unclear fingerprints or slight discrepancies in address details. Criminals often bribe local election offices to create fake NIDs, sometimes using children's fingerprints or toe prints to bypass the system.
The widespread issue also hampers law enforcement's ability to track down suspects, as NID addresses frequently lead to nonexistent or mismatched locations. This confusion stems from the absence of a unified, standardized database for administrative regions such as divisions, districts, upazilas, unions, municipalities, and post offices, creating inefficiencies and increasing the potential for fraud.
Experts argue that integrating all address data into a central digital database could streamline administrative processes, enhance service delivery, and improve accuracy in official records. A unified system would help reduce errors, cut down costs, and eliminate bureaucratic red tape.
Further complicating matters, there are discrepancies in English transliterations of place names. For example, Muchapur in Noakhali's Companigonj Upazila is recorded as "Musapur" or "Mukkapur" in some instances. Similarly, Mongla Port Municipality's Shelabunia village has been documented under multiple variations, including "Shehlabunia" and "Selabuniya," leading to even official documents containing conflicting information.
An official from the Agargaon passport office admitted that their system relies on post office records, which are themselves prone to errors. "If there's a dual NID, the passport application gets blocked automatically," the official explained.
A central digital database could revolutionize how municipalities, union councils, law enforcement agencies, and passport offices manage address records. Such a system would simplify verification tasks for social benefits, criminal record tracking, and document issuance. It would also make identity verification for routine activities like renting a home, booking a hotel, or registering for marriage more seamless.
Experts stress that addressing inconsistencies is crucial not just to combat fraud but also to improve governance. Without a standardized system, millions will continue to face bureaucratic inefficiencies while criminals exploit these gaps for personal gain.