India Cyber Fraud Syndicate Busted by CBI
A Nationwide Cyber Fraud Syndicate Busted by the CBI
A recent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has led to the dismantling of a sophisticated cyber fraud network operating out of Delhi.
The Syndicate’s Operations
The syndicate, allegedly run by Lord Mahavira Services India Pvt. Ltd. (LMSIPL), was found to have procured over 20,000 illegal SIM cards over a period of four years, violating guidelines set by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The CBI alleged that the firm obtained these connections by misrepresenting authorized signatories and end-users, with the majority of the SIM cards sourced from Vodafone Idea Ltd.
Arrests and Investigation
The agency arrested four individuals, including a telecom channel partner, an area sales manager, and two others accused of facilitating fraudulent KYC verifications.
Although the accused have been granted conditional bail, the investigation has shed light on the extent of the cyber fraud network.
Modus Operandi
The syndicate allegedly used the illegal SIM cards to send phishing messages and make fraudulent calls, impersonating officials from regulatory and government bodies to deceive victims.
The probe was initiated after the DoT received complaints through its Chakshu portal, with over 189 complaints linked to numbers associated with Mahavira Services.
The complainants reported financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees due to the fraudulent activities.
Seizures and Findings
Searches conducted at multiple locations in Delhi, Noida, and Chandigarh led to the seizure of servers, communication devices, USB hubs, dongles, and thousands of SIM cards.
The setup was allegedly used to send lakhs of fraudulent messages daily, with investigators also recovering unaccounted cash and cryptocurrency during the raids.
Conspiracy and Further Investigation
The accused individuals allegedly conspired with LMSIPL to facilitate phishing and cybercrime activities using the illegally obtained SIM connections.
The CBI has claimed that further investigation is underway to determine the geographical spread of the network and identify systemic lapses in the bulk SIM issuance process.
The agency is working in coordination with the DoT and telecom service providers to review verification protocols.
Conclusion
The case highlights serious concerns over KYC compliance, bulk SIM distribution mechanisms, and the evolving technological sophistication of cybercrime networks in India.
Investigators now face the challenge of tracing the wider network of beneficiaries and ensuring tighter regulatory safeguards to prevent such activities in the future.
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