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A serious cybercrime network with international links has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, where SIM cards issued locally were allegedly being used by cyber fraudsters operating from abroad. Following a five-day special operation, Bareilly police have identified five SIM card agents involved in selling pre-activated SIMs and registered FIRs against them under cheating and provisions of the Information Technology Act.
According to police officials, these SIM cards were being used in cyber fraud and cyber slavery operations run from Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Using Indian mobile numbers, fraudsters contacted victims across the country to carry out crimes such as digital arrest scams, bank fraud, OTP theft and online financial cheating.
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Special Operation Launched After I4C Inputs
Police sources said the action was initiated following specific inputs received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The inputs indicated that certain SIM agents in Bareilly were violating KYC norms and selling SIM cards that were already activated, which were later misused for cybercrime activities.
Based on this intelligence, district police launched a five-day special drive under the supervision of senior officers, with cyber units from multiple police stations deployed to monitor SIM sales, verify documentation and track suspicious activations. The focus of the operation was to identify breaches in the SIM issuance process at the local level.
Direct Link to Overseas Scam Centres
During the investigation, police found that SIM cards sold in Bareilly were subsequently routed to foreign call centres and cyber fraud hubs. Officials stated that many of these locations are known for running large-scale scam operations, where Indian nationals are often forced into cyber slavery and compelled to execute fraud calls targeting Indian citizens.
The use of Indian-registered SIM cards allowed fraudsters to bypass initial suspicion, making it difficult for victims and investigators to immediately trace the calls as international. These numbers were used to target bank accounts, digital wallets and social media platforms, resulting in financial losses and identity compromise.
FIRs Registered Against Five SIM Agents
After sustained questioning and verification of records, police confirmed sufficient evidence against five SIM card agents, following which FIRs were registered at respective police stations:
- Premnagar Police Station: Ashok, resident of Sai Dham, Karamchari Nagar
- Baradari Police Station: Harvendra Singh, resident of Harungala
- Faridpur Police Station: Sachin, resident of Saidapur
- Bhuta Police Station: Harishankar, resident of Khajuria Sampat
- Kyoladiya Police Station: Ravi, resident of Kyoladiya
All accused have been booked under cheating-related sections and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act for facilitating cybercrime through illegal SIM distribution.
Clear Warning Against Pre-Activated SIM Sales
Police officials have issued a clear warning that illegal SIM sales and KYC violations will invite strict legal action. Authorities stated that such practices not only violate telecom regulations but also pose a serious threat to national cyber security, as they enable international crime syndicates to operate with ease.
Investigators are now probing whether the arrested agents were part of a larger distribution network, including possible involvement of higher-level distributors or lapses at the telecom operator level. Coordination with central agencies has also been initiated to trace the overseas handlers and dismantle the broader network.
Tightening the Net on Cyber Fraud
Police officials said the Bareilly model will now be replicated in other districts to crack down on pre-activated SIM cards and fake KYC practices. The action comes at a time when cyber fraud cases are witnessing a sharp rise across India.
The administration believes that international cybercrime cannot be effectively curbed without breaking the local SIM supply chain. The Bareilly operation is being seen as a significant step toward disrupting the infrastructure that enables cross-border cyber fraud.
