Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has busted a suspected cyber fraud network involving thousands of SIM cards and multiple bank accounts, arresting three men after investigators traced transactions worth around ₹24 crore through just 10 accounts. Police are now examining the financial and technical trail to identify beneficiaries and determine whether the accused were part of a wider cyber fraud network.
Who Has Been Arrested?
The three accused have been identified as Islamuddin Salimuddin Sheikh, 44, Abdul Razzaq Rauf, 42, and Yasir Nasiruddin Sheikh, 26.
Police said the men were arrested in connection with the suspected network after an investigation by Crime Branch Unit 5.
Investigators are examining the beneficiaries of transactions and tracing the wider money trail to establish whether other people were involved.
How Did the Alleged Network Operate?
Police alleged that the accused opened bank accounts in their own names as well as in the names of associates and other people.
They then allegedly purchased multiple SIM cards and linked them to the bank accounts. After the accounts were opened, the accused allegedly took control of passbooks, ATM cards, cheque books, SIM cards and other banking instruments.
These accounts and banking facilities were then allegedly used to facilitate cyber fraud.
The investigation highlights how bank accounts and large numbers of SIM cards can become part of the infrastructure used to move money generated through online scams.
How Were ₹24 Crore Transactions Detected?
Crime Branch Unit 5 found that complaints had been registered against the bank accounts through the 1930 cybercrime helpline.
Police have so far identified 32 such complaints and found transactions worth ₹24 crore through 10 accounts.
Investigators are examining where the money came from, where it was transferred and who ultimately benefited from the transactions.
The scale of the transactions through a relatively small number of accounts has made tracing the financial trail an important part of the continuing investigation.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
What Did Police Seize?
The scale of the suspected operation became clearer during the seizures made by police.
Investigators recovered 88 bank passbooks, 143 cheque books, 100 ATM cards, 24 mobile phones, 167 SIM cards and two laptops, along with other documents.
Police also found technical investigation indicating that the accused had allegedly used 2,898 SIM cards for cyber fraud activities.
The large number of SIM cards and banking instruments points to the extensive infrastructure allegedly available to the network.
What Police Action Has Been Taken?
A case has been registered at Malad police station under Sections 318(4), 61, 45 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.
The three accused have been arrested and remanded in police custody until September 19.
Investigators are continuing to analyse the technical and financial evidence to establish the full extent of the suspected network and identify others who may have been involved.
Why Do SIM Cards and Bank Accounts Matter in Cyber Fraud?
Cyber fraud networks can depend on multiple accounts and communication numbers to receive money, operate online identities and make the financial trail more difficult to follow.
In this case, police allege that accounts were opened in the names of the accused, their associates and other people. Multiple SIM cards were then linked with these accounts, while banking instruments were allegedly controlled by the accused.
The investigation also shows why complaints against suspicious accounts can become important. In this case, police identified 32 complaints linked to the accounts through the 1930 cybercrime helpline.
Mumbai Police’s 1930 cyber helpline has been operating around the clock since May 2022, allowing victims to report fraud immediately so police can alert banks and attempt to freeze defrauded money.
How Can People Protect Themselves?
People should never hand over their SIM cards, bank accounts, ATM cards, passbooks or cheque books to others for money or commission. If an unknown transaction appears in your account or you suspect cyber fraud, report it immediately through the 1930 cybercrime helpline so authorities can act quickly and try to stop the movement of funds.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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