In a striking cyber-crime operation, Meerut police and the local cyber crime team dismantled a fake telephone exchange operating from a seemingly ordinary building. Officials revealed that the network was channeling international calls into India through clandestine VOIP routes, bypassing regulatory frameworks. Most operators were young men aged 19 to 25, with minimal formal education—one had studied only until the sixth grade. Despite limited schooling, they leveraged the internet and YouTube tutorials to create a system that not only violated telecom laws but also cost the government crores in revenue.
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The Raid and Evidence
The operation was initiated following a tip-off from the telecom department. Acting on this lead, the Special Task Force (STF) and cyber crime officials raided a flat near Navisa Masjid. The team recovered 32-sim slot dialers, sim boxes, routers, telephones, power mobiles, and 22 active SIM cards. Six individuals were arrested, including Qasim, Mohammad Nisauuddin, Mohammad Wahid, Hashin, Sarfaraz, and Mohammad Imran. Police explained that the network converted international calls into local ones, making revenue collection and call tracking extremely difficult for security agencies.
Mastermind and Crypto Connections
Questioning revealed that 19-year-old Qasim was the mastermind behind the operation. He admitted to learning the system from YouTube tutorials. “We transferred foreign calls via VOIP and received payments in cryptocurrency,” he told authorities. This revelation complicated investigations, as tracing cryptocurrency transactions is notoriously difficult. Officials warned that the network’s implications extend beyond financial fraud, posing potential threats to national security.
Digital Crime in India
The Meerut case underscores the rapid evolution of cybercrime and telecom fraud in India. Experts warn that technically curious yet minimally educated youth are exploiting the internet to launch complex criminal operations. Cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh noted, “Fake telephone exchanges are not just a revenue loss issue. They pose serious national security threats and can be exploited for espionage, hawala, or terrorist activities.” Authorities continue to search for additional suspects and are investigating possible links with foreign network operators.