Cybercrime Crackdown: CBI Arrests Three, Including Telecom Manager, Over Unauthorized SIM Cards

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken action against the misuse of SIM cards in cybercrimes, resulting in the arrest of three individuals, including a Territorial Sales Manager employed by a telecom company. The arrests are part of ‘Operation Chakra,’ which aims to dismantle the infrastructure that supports cybercrime. The CBI conducted searches at five locations in the Cachar district of Assam. The investigation revealed a widespread issue of unauthorized SIM card sales being used to commit various cybercrimes such as digital arrest scams, impersonation, fraudulent advertising, investment schemes, and UPI-related fraud. The investigation found that the Territorial Sales Manager was involved in issuing illegal SIM cards with the help of middlemen, distributors, and Point of Sale agents, disregarding the correct procedures. These SIM cards were then sold illegally in bulk to middlemen at high costs. This operation sought to curb the sale and misuse of unauthorized SIM cards. The searches led to the seizure of mobile phones, electronic devices, and copies of KYC documents. The suspects were presented before the local Magistrate Court, and a transit remand was obtained. They will appear before the jurisdictional FIR Court on Friday.