In a crackdown on cybercrime and potential espionage, the Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) has busted a pan-India fake SIM card racket under “Operation Ghost SIM,” arresting 22 individuals and seizing 948 fraudulent SIM cards.
The Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps provided intelligence inputs that prompted Assam’s Special Branch and STF to coordinate the operation. After registering a case on May 14 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the IT Act, police launched raids across Assam, Rajasthan, and Telangana on May 16.
Operation Ghost SIM in Action
The accused operated from districts such as Dhubri and Morigaon in Assam, and Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Police also arrested one individual from a remote village in Telangana’s Sangareddy district.
DGP Harmeet Singh stated that the accused used fake SIM cards to generate OTPs via WhatsApp and routed them to Pakistan. Authorities believe the group carried out cyber fraud and engaged in anti-national activities, including surveillance and espionage.
“The numbers appeared as Indian accounts but enabled cross-border communication, including inquiries about troop movements,” said the DGP, calling it a serious breach of national security.
Among those arrested were individuals operating under fake identities, allegedly issuing SIMs for WhatsApp use and online fraud. Technical devices and documentation were also seized during the raids.
The STF is now working in coordination with central agencies to trace the entire network in Operation Ghost SIM and investigate international connections. Police warned that this is just the beginning of a wider operation.
Stay Safe Tip:
Police urge citizens to remain cautious about unsolicited calls and messages, especially those requesting personal information or offering financial gain. Always verify the legitimacy of unknown numbers and report suspicious activity immediately.
Further investigations are underway to identify more individuals linked to the operation.
About The Author- Ayush Chaurasia is a postgraduate student passionate about cybersecurity, threat hunting, and global affairs. He explores the intersection of technology, psychology, national security, and geopolitics through insightful writing.