Indian Cyber Fraud Network Busted: POS Agent Arrested for SIM Card Scam

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Cybercrime Network Dismantled

A major cybercrime network utilizing over 300 illicitly obtained SIM cards has been dismantled, following the arrest of a point-of-sale (POS) agent in Mumbai.

The Accused and the Scams

The accused, Kamal Pukraj Kuldeep, allegedly exploited his position to generate and supply the SIM cards to cybercriminals, who used them to perpetrate various online scams.

According to investigators, Kuldeep misused Aadhaar details of multiple individuals to activate the SIM cards, which were then utilized in numerous cybercrime operations across India.

A Notable Case Linked to the Network

One notable case linked to the network involved a 66-year-old retired railway official, who was cheated out of ₹29 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam.

The victim received a video call from a person claiming to be a police officer, who informed him that a SIM card had been issued using his Aadhaar credentials.

The caller alleged that the victim’s Aadhaar details had been used to open a bank account for money laundering transactions worth ₹60 crore.

The victim was subsequently contacted by another individual, who claimed to be the head of a national security agency.

This person accused the victim of receiving a 10 percent commission from the alleged transactions and warned that he could face charges of money laundering and human trafficking, potentially resulting in a prison sentence of at least ten years.

The fraudsters sent fabricated documents bearing the logos of national security authorities and the Reserve Bank of India to legitimize their claims.

Under intense pressure, the victim transferred ₹29 lakh to bank accounts provided by the scammers, who promised to return the money once the supposed investigation was completed.

Aftermath and Investigation

However, when the money was not returned, the victim realized he had been cheated and approached the cybercrime authorities.

Technical analysis and digital tracking revealed that the SIM card used in the fraud had been issued without the consent of the original Aadhaar holder.

Kuldeep’s arrest has exposed a significant cybercrime network, with investigators suspecting that the illicitly obtained SIM cards were used in numerous cybercrimes across the country, resulting in substantial financial losses for victims.

The authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the network and trace the criminals who used these SIM cards to carry out the scams.