Fake Phone Exchanges Cracked Down: Sim Box Scams Uncovered for International Call Routing
SIM Box Scheme Uncovered: Racket Converts International Calls into Local Ones, Generates Illegal Profits
In a recent operation, authorities in western Uttar Pradesh have dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime network that used SIM box technology to route international calls as local ones, causing significant revenue losses to telecom operators.
The scheme, which operated for nearly six months, resulted in substantial profits for the perpetrators.
How It Worked
The network, which was functioning in a highly organized manner, employed SIM box devices to mask the origin of international VoIP calls and make them appear as local mobile calls.
This allowed the group to bypass telecom regulations and generate substantial illegal profits.
Key Figure Emerges
During the investigation, a key figure emerged who allegedly established contacts with suppliers in China, obtaining SIM box devices “on demand.”
The devices, manufactured in China and other countries, were then illegally imported into India and set up in Meerut and Hapur.
Call Masking Technology Used
The SIM box devices used in the scheme were capable of operating multiple SIM cards simultaneously and converting internet-based international calls into local calls using Indian numbers.
This process, known as “call masking” or “call routing fraud,” is commonly used in organized cybercrime due to its ability to conceal identities and reroute communication channels.
Links to Hawala Transactions
The network is believed to have links to hawala transactions, facilitating illegal financial dealings and concealing communication trails.
Additionally, it is suspected that the group supplied SIM cards and technical infrastructure to cyber fraud groups involved in phishing and call center scams.
Crackdown Continues
On March 18, a similar fake telephone exchange was busted in Meerut, resulting in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of three SIM boxes and 32 SIM cards.
However, at that time, leads about other locations had surfaced, and all suspects could not be traced by the local police.
The latest crackdown is seen as a continuation of that operation, with agencies expanding the scope of investigation to examine the supply chain of the devices, financial transactions, and possible international links connected to the racket.
Cybersecurity experts point out that SIM box fraud is widely used in organized cybercrime due to its ability to conceal identities and reroute communication channels.
As the probe progresses, more arrests and disclosures are expected, with agencies tightening surveillance on illegal telecom infrastructures.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be revealed as more information becomes available.