In a major crackdown on evolving cybercrime tactics, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has exposed an organized fraud network that used SIM Box technology to target unsuspecting victims. Two company directors have been arrested for allegedly setting up a shell company to procure bulk SIM cards and deploy them in cyber fraud operations.
The accused, identified as Mohammed Vival and Mohammed Dilshad, were apprehended from Meerut. Investigations revealed that the duo floated a company in January 2025 to obtain a large number of SIM cards under the pretext of employee usage. However, these SIMs were later diverted for fraudulent activities through SIM Box systems.
108 SIMs Flagged via Chakshu Portal
According to probe findings, as many as 108 SIM cards were issued in the company’s name. While initially projected for legitimate corporate use, these numbers were flagged after multiple complaints surfaced on national cybercrime reporting platforms, including the Chakshu portal. Victims reported receiving suspicious calls linked to these numbers, prompting further investigation.
A SIM Box is a hardware device that routes multiple calls over the internet, masking the actual origin of the caller. Fraudsters exploit this technology to impersonate police officials, government authorities, or bank representatives. Using social engineering tactics, they create panic or lure victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive financial details.
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Coordinated Raids Across Six Locations
Investigators noted that such calls often act as the first step in a broader cyber fraud chain. Victims are psychologically manipulated—either through fear or urgency—before being coerced into making financial transactions. In several instances, the accused allegedly posed as law enforcement officials to intimidate individuals into compliance.
Major Electronic Evidence Seizure
The CBI conducted coordinated raids at six locations across Meerut and Noida. These included premises linked to the accused, their associates involved in SIM Box infrastructure, a telecom operator’s zonal office, and a private entity responsible for SIM verification processes.
During the searches, officials recovered crucial electronic evidence, including laptops, hard disks, mobile phones, and a large cache of SIM cards. Investigators also seized incriminating documents that shed light on the operational scale of the network. Notably, one foreign SIM card from Nepal was also recovered, indicating possible international linkages.
Agencies suspect that the operation may extend beyond the two arrested accused, pointing to a larger organized syndicate. The scale of SIM procurement and the use of advanced routing technology suggest a well-planned and coordinated effort to execute fraud at a significant level.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “SIM Box fraud has emerged as one of the most dangerous forms of cybercrime today. Criminals combine social engineering with technical manipulation to impersonate trusted authorities and psychologically pressure victims into transferring money. Awareness and immediate reporting remain the strongest defenses against such crimes.”
Cyber experts warn that SIM Box fraud cases are rising rapidly due to the anonymity they provide. By concealing the origin of calls, this technology makes it harder for enforcement agencies to trace perpetrators. This underscores the urgent need for stricter SIM verification processes and stronger coordination between telecom operators and law enforcement bodies.
The case once again highlights how cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies to exploit systemic gaps and target citizens. Investigators are now working to uncover the full extent of the network and identify other individuals involved.
Further revelations are expected in the coming days, which could expose a wider international cyber fraud racket and deepen concerns around telecom security and digital fraud prevention.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
