CBI Crackdown To Curb Sale Of Illegal SIM Cards
The CBI launched searches at multiple locations in eight States
Hyderabad: Telangana was among the eight States where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches to curb the sale and misuse of unauthorized SIM cards issued by various Point of Sale (PoS) agents of telecom operators.
In continuation of ongoing efforts to curb cybercrime and digital arrest cases as part of Operation Chakra –V, the CBI launched searches at multiple locations on premise of various PoS agents of telecom operators, allegedly acting in connivance with cybercrime criminals and unknown executive of telecom service providers in issuing SIM cards.
These SIM cards were subsequently used in illegal activities involving digital arrest, impersonation, fraudulent advertisement, investment fraud, UPI frauds, etc, according to a statement issued by CBI on Saturday.
The searches were conducted on the premises of 38 PoS agents across multiple locations covering eight States – Telangana, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The searches led to seizure of incriminating documents and articles such as mobile phones, electronic devices, copies of KYC documents and identification of individuals including middlemen involved in distribution of unauthorized SIM cards and seizure of movable property acquired from crime proceeds.
The CBI arrested five persons from four States in view of their involvement in selling SIM cards unauthorizedly by violating the KYC norms in conspiracy.
The action is part of ongoing commitment of the Central government to severely deal with cybercrime and its perpetrators with a special emphasis on dismantling the infrastructure behind such offences. The investigation is under progress.
