Cyber Crime
Fake SIM Card Factory Busted: Odisha Gang Sold Over 4,000 Fake SIM Cards to Cybercriminals
Keonjhar police arrest gang selling 4,000 fake SIM cards; cybercriminals used them in scams nationwide, victims from various states
ODISHA: In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Keonjhar Cyber Police Station, Odisha has brought down the curtain on a fake SIM card racket operating in the district. Four members of a gang involved in activating and selling illegal SIM cards to cybercriminals across India have been arrested. These individuals allegedly activated over 4,000 SIM cards in Odisha and then sold them to cybercriminals across India, fueling a wave of online scams.
Preying on Trust, Posing as Agents
The modus operandi of the gang was deceptively simple. Posing as Point of Sale (POS) agents for various telecom service providers, they gained access to people’s personal information and documents in Keonjhar. Using this information, they then activated thousands of SIM cards without the knowledge or consent of the rightful owners.
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Fueling Fraud Across Borders
These illegally activated SIM cards became weapons in the hands of cybercriminals operating in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, and Rajasthan. The criminals used these pre-activated cards to perpetrate various online scams, leaving a trail of duped victims across the country.
From Loan Scams to E-bike Frauds
The victims of these scams come from diverse backgrounds. A resident of Maharashtra fell prey to a fake bank loan scheme orchestrated by the cybercriminals using one of these illegal SIM cards. Another victim from Telangana was lured into an e-bike purchase scam with promises of heavy discounts. These are just a glimpse into the vast web of deceit spun by the racket.
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Cracking the Code, Busting the Ring
The operation to dismantle this ring of cybercriminals began with a vital clue from Maharashtra Police, who were investigating a similar case. Following this lead, Keonjhar Police meticulously pieced together the puzzle, leading to the identification and arrest of the four accused – Rajkishore Jena, Tapan Kumar Jena, Subrat Jena, and Pradip Mishra.
A Haul of Evidence
During the arrests, the police seized a significant amount of incriminating evidence, including 538 SIM cards, 18 mobile phones, 5 biometric scanners, bank passbooks, and ATM cards. This haul strengthens the case against the accused and provides valuable insights into the scale and operation of the racket.
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Price of a Pre-Activated Scam
Police investigations revealed that the accused sold these pre-activated SIM cards to cybercriminals for sums ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per card. This seemingly small price tag fuelled a network of online fraud that spanned states and left countless victims in its wake.
Unraveling the Bigger Picture
So far, Keonjhar Police has traced over 300 FIRs filed in different parts of the country where SIM cards activated by the arrested gang were used in cybercrime cases. This underscores the widespread reach and damaging impact of their operation.
With the arrest of these four individuals and the seizure of incriminating evidence, Keonjhar Police has dealt a significant blow to a cybercrime network that thrived on stolen identities and fraudulent activities. This operation serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of cybercrime and the constant vigilance needed to combat it.