The Kolkata Police have busted another SIM box-based cyber fraud racket in connection with a ‘digital arrest’ scam involving over ₹3 crore, arresting one person and seizing a large cache of illegal telecom equipment. The haul includes 12 SIM boxes, 2,250 SIM cards, 17 mobile phones, nine routers, a laptop and related networking hardware, indicating the operation of a high-volume illegal call-routing network.
The arrested accused has been identified as 38-year-old Mohammad Amjad, who was picked up from the Amherst Street area of central Kolkata. Police said the arrest was based on leads obtained during the interrogation of another SIM box operator apprehended earlier in a related case.
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Business couple duped using ‘digital arrest’ scare
Investigators said the fraud dates back to October, when a businessman from Behala received a call claiming that a parcel in his name contained banned drugs and that he was under investigation by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. Soon after, the fraudsters initiated a video call, posing as central agency officials, and told the couple they were under “digital surveillance,” instructing them to keep their phone cameras on at all times.
During the call, the accused displayed fake identity cards and fabricated official documents. Two more individuals later joined the video call, claiming to be IPS officers, and threatened the couple with arrest. The victims were told they could avoid legal action by transferring money for “verification.” Acting under fear, the couple transferred a total of ₹3.01 crore to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Realising they had been cheated, they later filed a complaint at the cyber police station, triggering the investigation.
SIM boxes used to mask call origins
Police said the fraudsters did not make calls from regular mobile phones but used SIM box devices. These systems route international internet-based calls through multiple SIM cards so that they appear as local calls, effectively masking the caller’s true location and bypassing telecom monitoring systems. A single setup can generate large volumes of calls simultaneously, making it ideal for organised cyber fraud.
Bangladesh-Malaysia links under scanner
The probe has revealed that the network used virtual numbers and VPN services to conceal its operational base. Investigators are examining suspected links to Bangladesh and Malaysia. In the earlier arrest, the accused was found running an illegal call-routing network using a SIM box, and his interrogation led police to Amjad.
Police sources said the suspected kingpin has been identified as a resident of Tripura, while the role of foreign nationals and cross-border SIM supply chains is also being examined.
Large-scale illegal telecom operation
The seized equipment suggests the racket was converting international calls into local ones to carry out cyber fraud while avoiding detection. Authorities are now tracing the source of the SIM cards, analysing bank accounts linked to the transactions and identifying other members of the network. Investigators are also probing whether the SIM cards were procured using forged documents or through agents.
Rising trend of ‘digital arrest’ scams
Officials warned that scams involving fake law-enforcement calls, video “verification,” and threats of arrest are emerging as a major cybercrime pattern. Citizens have been advised not to transfer money based on such calls and to immediately report them to cyber helplines.
The investigation is ongoing, and police said central agencies may be involved if international linkages are confirmed.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
