Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) and I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs, have dismantled a SIM card cartel involved in supplying fake SIM cards to international cybercriminals. This operation, led by SSP STF Navneet Singh, resulted in the arrest of a cybercrime mastermind from Mangalore, Haridwar. The accused was responsible for fraudulently activating over 20,000 SIM cards, which were sold to cybercriminals in South Asian countries and used in large-scale financial frauds across India.
The State cyber police and STF arrested Sohil (alias) from Manglaur (Haridwar) for allegedly trading SIM cards issued with fraudulently acquired personal information and biometrics of women from rural areas of Uttarakhand and UP to scam centres in Southeast Asian countries. The arrested criminal Sohil (alias), lured women from the Mangalore region of Haridwar by offering freebies in the name of fake government schemes or companies. In exchange for a simple cup set, he collected their Aadhaar cards and biometric data, which were later used to activate thousands of SIM cards under fraudulent identities.
Inspector general (law and order), Uttarakhand Police, Nilesh Anand Bharne said, “The case first came to light in April 2024 when a victim from Majri Mafi, Mohkampur, Dehradun, filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station. The victim had fallen prey to a cyber scam, having been lured into an investment scheme by a Facebook user named Kalyani, who posed as a Metal Advisor from Chennai. The scam promised triple returns on investments, and the victim initially received profits before the fraudsters changed their tactics and demanded more funds. Realizing the deceit, the victim reported the matter to Cyber Crime, leading to the arrest of the mastermind behind the SIM cartel.”
“During interrogation, Sohil (alias) confessed that he had been selling Indian SIM cards and their details to scam centres in South East Asian countries like Combodia, Thailand and Myanmar, through his acquaintance in Delhi, who is still at large, since October last year. He Sold atleast 20,000 SIM cards to International scammers and receiving Rs 3 to 50 for each SIM related information including OTPs, from his handlers abroad.” added IG (law & Order).
Police confiscated 1816 SIM cards, two checkbooks, five mobile phones and two biometric devises from accused.
The success of the operation is a result of the close collaboration between Uttarakhand Police and I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs. The police extended special thanks to key I4C team members, including Dr. Rajesh Kumar (CEO I4C), Rupa M (Director I4C), Munish Datt (Deputy Director), and forensic analyst Rushi Mehta, for their invaluable support in cracking this case.
