Bengaluru Police have unearthed a sophisticated illegal telecom exchange operating out of the city, which was converting international calls into local traffic to evade regulatory scrutiny and cause significant financial loss to the government and telecom operators. The bust, carried out by the Central Crime Branch’s Cyber Crime Unit, has exposed a well-organised network that investigators describe as a major national security concern. The key operator behind the racket reportedly fled to Dubai shortly before the police operation.
Vodafone Alert Triggered Probe into Suspicious Call Routing Patterns
The case came to light when Vodafone lodged a formal complaint on November 28, noting unusual call patterns on its network that suggested unauthorised usage of SIM box technology. According to the company, several international calls were being masked and rerouted as local calls, bypassing legitimate gateways and causing revenue leakage linked to international call charges, termination fees and applicable taxes.
Acting on the technical red flags raised by the telecom operator, the CCB Cyber Crime Wing initiated surveillance and began tracing the location of the suspected illegal exchange. Investigators eventually zeroed in on a commercial building in Electronics City Phase-2, where the entire operation was being run covertly from the fourth floor.
Large-Scale Hardware Seized: 28 SIM Boxes, 1,193 SIM Cards, Routers and Cameras
During the raid, police recovered a substantial cache of telecom hardware designed to illegally manipulate call traffic. The seized equipment includes:
- 28 SIM boxes
- 1,193 pre-activated SIM cards
- One laptop
- Three high-capacity routers
- One MI portable CC camera
According to police estimates, the total value of the seized items is around ₹40 lakh.
SIM boxes, commonly used in grey-route telecom frauds, can process dozens of calls simultaneously by inserting multiple SIM cards. This enables fraudsters to divert international calls onto domestic networks, effectively disguising the origin of the call. Such manipulation not only violates telecom regulations but also obstructs security agencies from tracking or identifying callers, posing severe national security risks.
SIM Box Network Suspected in Multiple Cyber Frauds
Initial investigation suggests that the seized infrastructure may have been used for more than just illegal call termination. Police sources indicate that SIM boxes and bulk SIM cards are increasingly linked to a range of cyber-enabled financial crimes, including:
- WhatsApp and OTP frauds
- Fake customer care and phishing scams
- Digital investment fraud targeting NRIs
- Social engineering calls originating from abroad
By masking international calls as domestic ones, the network provides a cloak of anonymity that cybercriminals frequently seek. Investigators are now analysing digital logs and call records to understand the full extent of the system’s misuse.
Kerala-Based Mastermind Fled to UAE; Lookout Circular Likely
Police have identified the alleged mastermind as a Kerala-based individual who is believed to have escaped to the UAE soon after sensing the crackdown. The Bengaluru Police are preparing to issue a Lookout Circular (LOC) and may also approach Interpol if required.
Officials suspect the involvement of multiple accomplices, including SIM suppliers, technical experts in call routing, and foreign collaborators who may have facilitated the international leg of the operation. Investigators say more arrests are likely as the probe deepens.
Operation Seen as High-Risk for National Security
Senior officials describe the discovery as a serious threat to India’s communication and intelligence systems. Illegal telecom exchanges like this one are often used for:
- Concealing identities of callers involved in illegal activities
- Moving funds through untraceable channels
- Facilitating international cybercrime
- Routing suspicious calls from Pakistan, the Gulf and other regions
- Supporting anti-national elements by masking communication patterns
Given these risks, the CCB has roped in specialised telecom and digital forensics experts to assist with the analysis.
The investigation is currently under way, with police stating that the digital footprint recovered from the seized equipment may reveal additional layers of the network. Authorities emphasise that cracking down on such grey-route telecom operations is essential to protecting national security and preserving the integrity of India’s communication infrastructure.
