SIM Box Racket Busted in ₹3 Crore Digital Arrest Cyber Fraud; 12 Devices, 2,250 SIM Cards Seized
Kolkata Police Dismantle ₹3 Crore Cyber Fraud Operation
A coordinated effort by the Kolkata Police has led to the disruption of a large-scale cyber fraud racket, resulting in the arrest of one individual and the seizure of substantial illicit telecommunications equipment.
Arrest and Seizure
The accused, 38-year-old Mohammad Amjad, was apprehended in the Amherst Street area of central Kolkata, following leads obtained during the interrogation of another SIM box operator arrested in a related case.
The seizure included 12 SIM boxes, 2,250 SIM cards, 17 mobile phones, nine routers, a laptop, and associated networking hardware, indicating a high-volume illegal call-routing network.
Investigation
The investigation began in October, when a local businessman received a call claiming that a parcel in his name contained banned substances and that he was under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate.
The fraudsters subsequently initiated a video call, posing as central agency officials, and informed the couple that they were under “digital surveillance,” instructing them to keep their phone cameras active at all times.
The accused displayed fake identification cards and fabricated official documents during the call.
Two additional individuals joined the video call, claiming to be Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, and threatened the couple with arrest.
The victims were instructed to transfer funds for “verification” to avoid legal action.
The couple, acting under duress, transferred a total of ₹3.01 crore to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Upon realizing their mistake, they filed a complaint at the cyber police station, prompting the investigation.
Modus Operandi
The use of SIM boxes allowed the fraudsters to mask the origin of their calls, routing international internet-based calls through multiple SIM cards to make them appear as local calls.
This tactic enabled the perpetrators to bypass telecom monitoring systems and conceal their true location.
A single setup can generate a large volume of calls simultaneously, making it an ideal tool for organized cyber fraud.
International Links
The investigation has revealed suspected links to Bangladesh and Malaysia, with the network utilizing virtual numbers and VPN services to conceal its operational base.
Authorities are examining the role of foreign nationals and cross-border SIM supply chains.
The suspected kingpin, a resident of Tripura, has been identified, and further investigation is underway.
Ongoing Investigation
The seized equipment suggests that the racket was converting international calls into local ones to carry out cyber fraud while avoiding detection.
Authorities are currently tracing the source of the SIM cards, analyzing bank accounts linked to the transactions, and identifying other members of the network.
Investigators are also probing whether the SIM cards were procured using forged documents or through agents.
Warning to Citizens
Officials have warned that scams involving fake law-enforcement calls, video “verification,” and threats of arrest are emerging as a major cybercrime pattern.
Citizens are advised not to transfer funds based on such calls and to immediately report them to cyber helplines.
The investigation is ongoing, and central agencies may be involved if international linkages are confirmed.
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