The CBI has revealed that a seemingly ordinary B.Sc. second-year student, Rajiv Sagar, along with his neighbor Mukesh Kumar, masterminded a local-level SIM card scam in Mitai village, Chandapa Kotwali area of Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. The duo is accused of fraudulently activating over 100 SIM cards using forged Know Your Customer (KYC) documents.
CBI teams recently raided Rajiv’s residence, confiscating two mobile phones and a scooty after a five-hour search. Rajiv was subsequently taken into custody, while Mukesh remains absconding. The duo’s modus operandi involved re-activating failed KYC SIMs by misleading customers and then selling them in the black market for use in cyber fraud operations across India and even South Asian countries.
A National Network: 39 Dealers, 1100 Fake SIMs, and Multiple States
What initially appeared to be a local-level fraud has ballooned into a nationwide cybercrime nexus. The CBI’s probe so far has identified 39 SIM card dealers operating in a coordinated racket that sold over 1100 fake SIM cards. These SIMs were found to be instrumental in executing high-tech crimes like:
Digital arrest scams
UPI and online banking frauds
Espionage activities
Fake investment schemes
False job and product advertisements
Dealers from West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh have been named in the FIR. Notably, nine dealers from UP, including the two from Hathras, are already under investigation.
The case came to light after the CBI received over 2,200 complaints through its cybercrime reporting portal. According to the agency, a staggering 64,000 fake SIM cards were sold across India in the last year alone, prompting legal action against 1,930 suspected dealers.
Digital Arrest: The New Face of Cyber Terror
A particularly alarming form of fraud that emerged from this racket is “Digital Arrest”—a method of psychological manipulation and extortion. Victims receive fraudulent calls from imposters posing as law enforcement officials, claiming they are under investigation or have violated laws. These callers, often using fake SIM cards, coerce victims into transferring money to avoid arrest or legal action.
The practice is gaining ground, especially among tech-savvy criminals who exploit public fear and lack of awareness about digital crimes. Authorities warn that the use of untraceable SIM cards makes it nearly impossible to track perpetrators in real time.
Local Panic, National Wake-Up Call
The CBI’s action has created panic in Chandapa and surrounding villages, where residents are shocked to learn that local youths are involved in organized cybercrime. Local police and district administration have now pledged stricter KYC verification protocols, vendor audits, and legal action against SIM card dealers found operating without due diligence.
As India’s digital ecosystem grows, this case highlights the urgent need for telecom regulation reform, heightened awareness, and stricter penalties for those facilitating access to fraudulent communication tools. For now, the CBI continues to tighten its net across the country as the investigation unfolds.
