Bhubaneswar | A major cybercrime operation has been busted in Odisha’s capital after police uncovered an organised cyber fraud network allegedly running from a hostel in the Chandrasekharpur area. During the raid, authorities recovered 10 SIM boxes and more than 100 unauthorised SIM cards. Two engineering dropouts from Kerala have been taken into custody in connection with the alleged international call routing fraud.
According to sources, the network had been illegally diverting foreign call traffic for a long period, raising concerns about possible financial losses to the telecom sector. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused were routing incoming calls from the United States and several European countries through an unauthorised communication setup. The operation allegedly involved technical manipulation to bypass authorised telecom gateway systems.
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The Special Squad and cyber police conducted the raid based on confidential intelligence inputs. During the search operation at the rented hostel room, investigators seized laptops functioning as servers, WiFi routers, and several other electronic devices used in the operation. The recovered SIM cards were reportedly registered using addresses in Assam and were allegedly misused for unlawful communication activities.
Investigations also revealed that the two accused had discontinued their BTech studies midway and were using their technical knowledge to run the network. Police suspect that they were operating the system using VOS 3000 software, which is believed to have possible links with international cybercrime groups. Officials are also examining the possibility of connections with networks operating from Bangladesh.
Authorities said preliminary findings suggest that the accused were illegally routing foreign call traffic, causing revenue losses to telecom service providers. Apart from financial damage, the operation is also being viewed as a potential threat to communication security infrastructure. The seized electronic devices and digital data are being sent for forensic examination.
Both detained suspects are being interrogated continuously to determine the duration of the operation and identify other possible associates involved in the racket. Investigators are also analysing mobile and server data to trace additional suspects connected with the network.
Officials noted that the case reflects the emergence of sophisticated methods in digital fraud. Cybersecurity experts pointed out that misuse of SIM box technology allows criminals to control international call traffic illegally, creating both financial and security risks for communication systems.
Police have urged the public to report any suspicious communication activity or illegal call operations to the cybercrime helpline immediately. Further action may be taken against other suspected members of the network after completion of the ongoing investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
