One another milestone to the Cyber Intelligence Team of Cyber Crime Wing Headquarters that has led to the busting of an International SIM Box network operating in Tamil Nadu which was facilitating VoIP calls from international cyber scam gangs.
Building on the pivotal technical and intelligence insights uncovered through the Intensive Intelligence Operation by the State Cyber Command Centre (SCCC), several specialized teams were formed and spearheaded by Tmt. I. Shahnaz, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime Division-I.
Multiple high-impact raids were conducted across various districts of Tamil Nadu, resulting in the apprehension of six suspects from Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Madurai and Chennai. This led to the dismantling of 14 high-capacity Quectel SIM boxes set up in Chennai and Madurai.
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Technical Findings
- Advanced technical surveillance and analysis of telecom traffic patterns by the Expert Technical Team at SCCC helped track the fraud.
- Seized SIM boxes were linked to multiple cybercrime cases across Tamil Nadu and beyond, including one in Kanchipuram.
Arrests & Modus Operandi
- Habeeb Naina (41) of Ramanathapuram and Vinoth (31) of Thanjavur were found operating SIM boxes received via Chinese linkages (HwangHo district).
- Devices were operated in gated communities like Urbanrise and Casa Grand in Kanathur, Madurai, Kelambakkam.
- Chinese mastermind promised commissions to Indians for managing SIM boxes.
- When payments were irregular, devices were redirected to Sarath Kumar (27) of Villivakkam, assisted by his brother Immanuel.
- Sarath Kumar opened multiple bank and trust accounts to launder money, aided by Saravanakumar, a bank relationship manager at Kotak Mahindra Bank, for bribes.
- SIM cards used in the operation came from an Airtel Point-of-Sale store in Madurai, issued by staffer Pandeeswari (25) of Sivagangai.
Official Response
- DGP Shankar Jiwal, IPS praised the teams.
- ADGP Dr. Sandeep Mittal, IPS issued public advisories to stay vigilant.
Advisory to the Public
- Do not fall for commission offers to open accounts or operate SIM boxes.
- House owners must verify tenants and activities on rented properties.
- Ignore scam calls claiming “digital arrest” or threats of crime involvement.
- Govt. agencies never ask for money for grievance redressal.
- Do not share Aadhaar, PAN, banking details, or OTPs over phone/video.
- Avoid video calls from unknown persons posing as officials (AI/deepfake risk).
- Do not install remote access apps like AnyDesk/TeamViewer for strangers.
Reporting
Victims should dial 1930 (Cyber Crime toll-free helpline) or register complaints at www.cybercrime.gov.in