To abuse that requires physically going to a file cabinet. People in that office are going to question you. If something happens, it is isolated to a single office, limiting suspects to a small number. Putting it online makes it vulnerable to the entire planet with about 8 billion suspects.

Would it be better if it was a digital copy, or what? Somehow, my drivers license, passport and ID has been photocopied and digitally copied countless of times, in multiple countries, over more than three decades, yet not a single time I've been affected by identity fraud. So somehow, seems it doesn't "lead to" always but I'm sure it does happen sometimes, yes.