Gurugram Police has busted an illegal call gateway racket allegedly used to support large-scale cyber fraud operations across India, arresting two individuals after a raid at a rented flat in Emerald Plaza Society, Sector-65. Police said SIM boxes, routers and other telecom equipment recovered from the premises were being used to mask international fraud calls as local Indian numbers.
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SIM Boxes Recovered From Sector-65 Flat
According to police, the unauthorised telecom setup was being operated from the rented apartment in Gurugram. During the April 2 raid, investigators recovered four SIM boxes along with routers and communication devices allegedly used to convert international calls into local numbers.
Officials said the system allowed multiple SIM cards to function simultaneously, helping cyber fraud groups route internet-based or international calls through Indian numbers. This made it difficult for enforcement agencies to trace the original source of the calls.
Police said the accused had received ₹7 lakh from a foreign national to establish and operate the illegal communication gateway. Investigators believe the setup was being used by cyber syndicates operating from outside India to target victims across several states.
Foreign Handler and Fake Firm Under Probe
Investigators said the accused had rented the apartment on the instructions of a foreign handler. One of the arrested accused, a woman employed with a company in Dubai, allegedly came in contact with the foreign operative and helped set up the infrastructure used in the operation.
Police said the racket functioned as a backend support system for cybercrime networks by providing communication anonymity and operational flexibility. The accused allegedly registered a fake call centre firm as a cover to make the activity appear legitimate and avoid suspicion.
Preliminary findings suggest that the illegal gateway may be linked to at least 21 cyber fraud complaints from different parts of the country. These include stock market investment scams promising high returns and “digital arrest” frauds in which victims were allegedly intimidated into transferring money.
Call Records and Money Trail Being Examined
Police are now examining the seized SIM boxes, routers and other digital equipment for forensic evidence. Investigators are also analysing call records, IP logs, device configurations and financial transactions linked to the ₹7 lakh payment and other suspected transfers.
Officials said further investigation is underway to identify foreign handlers, financial intermediaries and other local facilitators who may have helped establish similar illegal telecom infrastructure. More arrests are likely as the probe expands.
Cybercrime experts said SIM box-based gateways have become a major tool for organised fraud networks because they allow criminals to impersonate banks, law enforcement agencies and investment advisors while hiding their real location. Police have urged citizens to avoid responding to unknown calls involving investment offers or threats of legal action and to report suspicious communication immediately.
