Gujarat Man Held for Smuggling 1,000+ SIM Cards to Cambodia Scam Network

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24-year-old man from Ahmedabad arrested for facilitating international cybercrime involving 1,000 smuggled SIM cards and ₹1.55 crore fraud.

Gujarat Man Arrested in International Cyber Fraud Scheme

Navi Mumbai Police have detained a 24-year-old individual from Ahmedabad for allegedly facilitating an international cybercrime operation that defrauded a local resident of approximately ₹1.55 crore through a digital detention scheme. The accused, Umang Vijaybhai Lakod, was apprehended in Vadodara on July 3 following an investigation into the fraudulent activity.

The Scam Unfolds

Authorities allege he was responsible for activating and transporting more than 1,000 SIM cards to Cambodia, where they were utilized by transnational cybercriminals to target victims across India. The scam unfolded between March 23 and March 31, 2026, when the victim received communications via WhatsApp and Signal from individuals posing as members of the Anti-Terrorism Squad.

These fraudsters transmitted a forged arrest warrant and a counterfeit document bearing the Reserve Bank of India’s logo and branding, aiming to coerce the victim into believing legal action was imminent. Through persistent video calls, the perpetrators imposed a so-called digital detention, leveraging psychological pressure to maintain compliance.

Supply Chain and International Involvement

They subsequently instructed the victim to transfer ₹1,54,98,000 into multiple bank accounts controlled by the criminal syndicate. Investigators traced the fraudulent transactions by examining financial records, Signal profiles, and mobile numbers linked to the scheme.

The case highlights a broader supply chain supporting Cambodia’s scam infrastructure. Recent operations by the Enforcement Directorate uncovered a Rajasthan-based network where telecom vendors exploited activation systems to distribute illicit SIM cards. A similar operation in Telangana earlier this year revealed over 600 Indian SIMs exported abroad since 2023, obtained through forged documentation or unauthorized use of personal identification data.

Expert Warnings and Public Advice

Indian SIM cards are highly valuable to foreign criminal groups due to their perceived legitimacy. Calls originating from familiar Indian numbers increase the likelihood of victim compliance, as fraudsters exploit this trust to impersonate law enforcement, tax authorities, or financial institutions.

Prof. Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer and cybercrime specialist, noted that digital detention schemes are designed to exploit fear and urgency, falsely claiming victims are under official investigation. He clarified that no Indian law enforcement agency conducts arrests, investigations, or financial verifications via video calls, nor does any official request money transfers to avoid legal consequences.

Citizens are advised to terminate such calls immediately, verify claims through official channels, and report incidents to the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police have reiterated warnings against engaging with unsolicited communications and emphasized the importance of public vigilance in combating evolving cyber threats.