Fraudsters took fingerprints twice to activate two SIMs on one ID; second SIM used for scams — Three accused arrested
Pilibhit: If a mobile shop attendant ever asks you to give your fingerprint twice or retake your photo while purchasing a SIM card, consider it a warning sign. Pilibhit Police have uncovered a major interstate cyber-fraud racket that used this very method to issue fake SIMs and execute online scams. The gang leader and two associates have been arrested, all of whom were linked with cybercrime networks spread across multiple states.
The breakthrough came after the Ghungchai Police Station team raided a fake cyber café, which was being used as the base for generating fraudulent SIMs and conducting cyber fraud through various mobile gaming and digital applications.
Mastermind Trained in Dubai; Bank Accounts Flagged Across Several States
Investigations revealed that the mastermind, Amritpal, had earlier worked at a café in Dubai, where he learned the technical know-how of SIM-based fraud and online cheating mechanisms. His arrest led to the capture of two associates—Priyanshu and Dharmendra.
Dharmendra played a crucial role by providing bank accounts to receive money collected through fraud. Police said several of these accounts were already flagged across Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh in connection with registered cybercrime cases.
How the Fake SIM Scam Worked: Two SIMs on One Identity, One to the Customer — One to the Criminals
According to Inspector Jayashankar Singh of Ghungchai Police Station, the gang followed a well-organised and deceptive pattern. Priyanshu sourced SIM cards and sold them to Amritpal for about ₹1,000 each, which were later used for fraudulent activities.
The modus operandi was simple but effective:
- When a customer approached for a SIM, the agent took their fingerprint and photograph once.
- He would then falsely claim that the photo was unclear or the fingerprint did not register properly.
- A second fingerprint scan was taken.
- Using the same identity, the gang activated two SIM cards.
- One SIM was handed over to the unaware customer.
- The second SIM—active under the same Aadhaar identity—was used by the gang for cyber fraud.
This ensured that any digital trail of the fraudulent activity led back to the innocent customer, making detection extremely difficult.
Police Advisory: Do Not Allow Double Fingerprint Scanning During SIM Activation
Police have issued a strict advisory urging people to remain cautious during SIM activation. Inspector Singh stated:
“If a retailer asks you to give your fingerprint again, be alert. This is the most commonly used trick to generate duplicate SIMs on your ID.”
He also advised the public to routinely check the number of mobile connections active under their Aadhaar.
Check Active Mobile Numbers Using the Sanchar Saathi App
The government’s Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile application help users verify all active mobile connections linked to their identity. The process is straightforward:
1. Download the Sanchar Saathi app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Select the option ‘Know Mobile Connections’.
3. Enter your mobile number and fill in the captcha.
4. Authenticate using the OTP sent to your device.
5. A list of all mobile numbers active under your Aadhaar will appear on the screen.
6. Any unknown or unused number can be flagged using the ‘Report’ option.
This tool is especially useful for detecting fraudulent connections issued without a person’s knowledge.
Conclusion
The Pilibhit Police operation has once again highlighted how fake SIM cards are becoming the backbone of cyber fraud in India. Lack of consumer awareness, loopholes in Aadhaar verification, and ease of documentation have allowed such networks to flourish.
Experts believe that increased vigilance during SIM purchases and routine verification through the Sanchar Saathi app can significantly reduce such incidents.
