Meerut: Investigating agencies in western Uttar Pradesh are probing a sophisticated cyber fraud technique in which fraudsters allegedly disguise international calls as local mobile numbers to deceive unsuspecting victims. According to preliminary findings, criminals are using private Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology and illegal SIM box devices to route overseas calls through Indian local numbers, making them appear as domestic calls. Given the seriousness of the matter, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified their joint investigation.
Officials said complaints have been received from Baghpat, Meerut, Saharanpur and several other areas where people reported receiving calls originating from abroad that appeared on their mobile screens as local numbers. Similar complaints have also been reported from other parts of the country. Investigators are now attempting to identify the technical infrastructure and organised networks allegedly operating behind these calls.
Preliminary investigations suggest that cybercriminals are using private VoIP gateways, illegal Chinese SIM box devices and fake call centres to route international calls as domestic calls. The primary objective of this technique is to conceal the true origin of the call and convince victims that they are speaking with a local individual or representatives of banks, government departments or other trusted organisations. Investigators believe the method is being used to facilitate cyber fraud, digital arrest scams, fake KYC verification calls, investment fraud and other social engineering-based offences.
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In view of the growing threat, senior officials of the Department of Telecommunications held a high-level meeting with police authorities in western Uttar Pradesh. Officials have directed all police units to maintain separate registers and dedicated records for complaints, emails and communications received from the telecom department to ensure prompt examination and timely action on every reported incident.
Police said that under Operation Cyber Vajra, a special campaign against cybercrime, authorities resolved 435 complaints across the Meerut Range over the past five days. During the operation, 77 criminal cases were registered and 65 accused persons were arrested. Investigators are analysing digital devices, banking transactions, call records, IP logs and other electronic evidence to identify the complete operational network behind the alleged fraud.
To strengthen telecom security, the government has introduced a secure mobile number validation framework under the Telecommunications Cyber Security (Amendment) Rules, 2025 for financial and digital services. Citizens can also use the Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile application to verify mobile connections issued in their names, block lost or stolen handsets and monitor suspicious telecom activities. Through the Chakshu reporting facility, users can report fraudulent KYC calls, impersonation by fake government officials and other suspicious calls or messages. Authorities have also made it mandatory for second-hand mobile phone dealers to verify handset IMEI numbers against blacklisted databases to curb the sale of stolen or cloned devices.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that disguising international calls as local numbers represents one of the most dangerous forms of social engineering currently being used by cybercriminals. He advised citizens not to rely solely on the caller ID displayed on their phones to determine the authenticity of a caller. If someone claiming to represent a bank, police, government agency or financial institution asks for personal information, OTPs, banking credentials or immediate payments, individuals should independently verify the request through official communication channels before taking any action. He added that detailed analysis of VoIP infrastructure, SIM box networks, banking trails and digital forensic evidence can help investigators uncover organised cybercrime syndicates.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities said technical analysis, telecom records, digital evidence and financial transaction trails are being examined to identify the entire network involved. If links to additional suspects, other states or overseas networks emerge during the investigation, further legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
