How Your SIM Card Could Be Funding International Cybercrime

The cybercrime unit in Vadodara has uncovered a new racket of exporting sim cards activated in India to other countries. These sim cards are then utilized by fraudsters to target people in India and siphon money from their bank accounts. The investigation has brought to light a well-organized operation that ensures the kingpins remain untraceable.

Bogus ID Cards and Acquaintances’ Identity Documents Used to Purchase Sim Cards in Bulk

The police stumbled upon this racket while investigating a cyber fraud case. They discovered that local suspects were procuring sim cards in bulk using either bogus ID cards or identity documents of their acquaintances. Once acquired, these sim cards were transported to Dubai, where they were sold to a middleman for a sum ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500.

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Chinese Gangs Using Indian Sim Cards for Online Fraud

According to ACP Hardik Makadia, these sim cards were being purchased by some Chinese gangs to execute online frauds. Once the sim cards reached the Chinese gangs in Dubai, they opened different accounts on Telegram and started messaging people, offering them various schemes and promising attractive returns on their investments.

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Sim Cards Used to Open Bank Accounts to Siphon Money from Victims

The sim cards acquired from India were also used to open bank accounts to transfer the money siphoned from the victims’ bank accounts. The investigation hits a dead end as the account is opened using bogus documents, and the linked sim card is registered under a random person’s name.

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Arrest of a Sim Card Supplier and Difficulty in Tracing Gangs

The police arrested a man who had recently supplied 50 sim cards to a Pakistani woman in Dubai. The woman sold the cards to Chinese gangs that opened Telegram accounts using the sim cards. However, even if the police trace the gangs, it is tough to pinpoint their location and take up the matter officially with Interpol.

Stay Vigilant and Keep Personal Information Confidential

The investigation has raised an alarm for people to remain cautious while sharing their personal information, especially their identity documents. It is imperative to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help curb such fraudulent activities.

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