In Dehradun, a man became the latest victim of SIM swap fraud, a rising cybercrime tactic that enables fraudsters to gain access to a victim’s mobile number and linked bank accounts. After his mobile phone was stolen, the victim approached his telecom provider to request a duplicate SIM—only to discover that his number had already been ported without his knowledge.
This unauthorized porting allowed cybercriminals to receive bank OTPs and verification codes, eventually draining lakhs of rupees from the victim’s account. The fraud only came to light when the victim reviewed his bank statement days later, revealing multiple unauthorized transactions.
What Is SIM Swap Fraud and Why It’s So Dangerous
SIM swap fraud—also known as SIM hijacking—occurs when a criminal tricks a mobile provider into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card. Once they gain control of your number, they can reset passwords, receive authentication codes, and ultimately access sensitive accounts like net banking, UPI, email, and social media.
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Experts note that most victims are unaware that a stolen phone can be just the beginning. If a mobile number is linked to financial platforms and not quickly blocked, it becomes a gateway to total identity compromise.
What You Should Do Immediately After Your Phone Is Lost
If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, experts and cybercrime units advise the following urgent steps:
- Block your SIM card immediately by contacting your telecom provider’s customer care or visiting the nearest store.
- Lodge a police complaint to create a legal record of the theft.
- Inform your bank(s) and request a temporary block or hold on online transactions.
- Use RBI’s ‘UDGAM’ portal and Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 for reporting cyber frauds.
- Enable multi-factor authentication on all critical accounts and change passwords immediately.
The Cyber Cell of Uttarakhand Police has issued advisories urging citizens to treat their mobile number as seriously as their bank account PIN.