Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Vodafone area sales manager on charges of allegedly facilitating the illegal issuance of bulk SIM cards that were used by a cyber-criminal syndicate to run large-scale phishing operations targeting Indian citizens, officials said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Binu Vidhyadharan, was working as an area sales manager with Vodafone Idea in New Delhi. His role surfaced during an ongoing probe into a cyber-crime network operating from Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh, which was busted by the agency in December last year.
According to the CBI, the accused actively aided the syndicate by enabling the procurement of thousands of SIM cards in violation of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) norms. These SIM cards were subsequently used to send bulk phishing messages to unsuspecting individuals across the country.
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Bulk SIM cards used for phishing
Investigators said the cyber-criminal gang had acquired nearly 21,000 SIM cards, bypassing mandatory customer verification and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. The SIM cards were then integrated into an online bulk messaging platform that allowed the syndicate to send large volumes of SMS messages simultaneously.
“These SIM cards were used to offer bulk SMS services to international cyber criminals who targeted Indian citizens,” a CBI spokesperson said. “The messages were designed to lure victims with fake loan offers, investment schemes and other financial incentives, eventually leading to theft of personal and banking details.”
Phishing, officials said, often acts as the entry point for larger cyber frauds, with victims unknowingly sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links that compromise their financial security.
Earlier arrests and role of the accused
The investigation gained momentum in December 2025, when the CBI arrested three individuals, including a channel partner associated with the telecom service provider. All three are currently in judicial custody.
During subsequent searches and questioning, the agency uncovered evidence pointing to Vidhyadharan’s involvement in facilitating the illegal issuance of SIM cards on a large scale. The CBI alleged that he submitted falsified KYC documents to activate SIMs in the names of individuals who were falsely shown as employees of Lord Mahavira Services India Private Limited.
According to the agency, several members of a family based in Bengaluru were among those whose identities were misused. Copies of their Aadhaar cards were allegedly recovered from the accused during the investigation.
“These individuals were projected as employees of the accused company without their knowledge. Their identity documents were misused to fraudulently obtain SIM cards,” the spokesperson said.
SIM cards key to phishing ecosystem
Officials said the SIM cards obtained through deceptive means formed the backbone of the phishing ecosystem uncovered during the probe. Once activated, the cards were routed through digital dashboards that allowed automated and repeated transmission of fraudulent messages.
The agency noted that such illegal SIM issuance plays a critical role in enabling cyber crimes, allowing fraudsters to operate anonymously and evade detection for extended periods.
“The misuse of telecom infrastructure is a major challenge in combating cyber crime. Identifying and dismantling such networks is essential to protect citizens from financial fraud,” the official added.
No response from Vodafone
The CBI said it had reached out to Vodafone for its response on the matter. However, no official comment had been received from the company till the time of filing of this report.
The agency has not ruled out further arrests, indicating that the investigation is ongoing and may expand to examine the role of other intermediaries involved in the issuance and management of the SIM cards.
Continuing probe
Officials said the probe will now focus on tracing the money trail, identifying overseas links of the cyber-criminal syndicate, and examining whether similar violations occurred in other regions.
The CBI reiterated that strict action would be taken against all individuals found complicit in facilitating cyber fraud, including those misusing official positions within telecom networks.
The case underscores growing concerns over the misuse of SIM cards and telecom services in cyber crimes, even as authorities intensify efforts to tighten KYC norms and monitor bulk messaging platforms.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
