Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have arrested 66 people allegedly linked to a nationwide cyber fraud network involving financial fraud worth over ₹102 crore. The large-scale crackdown, conducted under “Operation Octopus 3.0,” targeted the supply chain of so-called “Ghost SIMs” allegedly used by organised cybercrime syndicates to facilitate online fraud operations.
Multi-State Cybercrime Crackdown Targets ‘Ghost SIM’ Network
According to Hyderabad Police, the seven-day operation was carried out across 13 states with the deployment of 18 special teams. Authorities said the investigation focused on dismantling illegal SIM supply chains allegedly enabling anonymous communication and cyber fraud activities across India.
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Police stated that the accused were allegedly connected to 76 cybercrime cases involving fraud amounting to approximately ₹101.87 crore nationwide. Raids were conducted in Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Punjab.
Over 1,100 Ghost SIMs Identified During Probe
Investigators said they identified 1,194 “Ghost SIMs” linked to cases registered with the City Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS). Of these, 544 SIM cards were reportedly seized within Hyderabad by the CCPS Special Task Force.
Police added that 432 of the recovered SIM cards were still sealed and allegedly awaiting deployment for cybercrime activities. Authorities suspect these SIMs were intended for use in financial fraud, fake digital identities, and other cyber-enabled offences.
PoS Agents Accused of Misusing eKYC and SIM Activation Process
According to investigators, Point of Sale (PoS) agents allegedly misused the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) eKYC process by activating additional SIM cards in the names of legitimate customers without their knowledge. Police alleged that these SIMs were later converted into eSIMs and distributed to fraud networks, including operators based abroad.
Authorities said less digitally literate individuals were allegedly targeted through free SIM activation offers. In several cases, customers were reportedly persuaded to share OTPs or surrender SIM cards, enabling fraudsters to create fake profiles on WhatsApp, social media, dating, and matrimonial platforms.
Police Plan Tighter SIM Verification and Telecom Coordination
Following the operation, police proposed stricter monitoring mechanisms for PoS agents and telecom distributors. Officials also called for mandatory real-time verification during MNP and new SIM activations, faster deactivation of SIMs linked to cybercrime, and improved data-sharing between telecom operators and law enforcement agencies.
Authorities said discussions with telecom service providers, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and TRAI are expected as part of efforts to curb the misuse of SIM cards in organised cyber fraud networks.
