Thane Police Uncover Massive International SIM Card Fraud Ring

Thane police have dismantled a major international fraud ring involving the distribution of SIM cards for cybercrime activities in countries like Cambodia, Dubai, and China. Three suspects were arrested, and 779 pre-activated SIM cards were seized. Investigations revealed that up to 3,000 SIM cards may have been used similarly.

In a significant breakthrough, Thane police have dismantled an international racket that supplied SIM cards to fraudsters engaged in cybercrimes across Cambodia, Dubai, and China, officials announced.

According to Thane Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cybercrime and EOW, Parag Manere, three individuals were apprehended—two from Chhattisgarh and one from Delhi. Authorities seized 779 pre-activated SIM cards during the operation.

Investigations suggest that around 3,000 SIM cards might have been similarly used. The probe, which encompassed 16 cases in Thane, revealed these crimes were conducted through WhatsApp, using 30 mobile phones and approximately 2,600 SIM cards activated in various states including Chhattisgarh and Tripura but linked to a WhatsApp IP in Hong Kong.

Police discovered the SIM cards and handsets in Chhattisgarh during the investigation of a specific cheating case involving Rs 29.3 lakh. On July 5, suspects Aftab Irshad Debar and Manishkumar Mohit Deshmukh were apprehended from Chhattisgarh with an array of incriminating items including the SIM cards and banking materials.

Detainee statements unveiled that Bhaijan @ Hafiz Like Ahmed sourced the SIM cards from South Delhi, selling them to a Dubai-based gang involved in extensive cybercrimes. The gang fraudulently acquired these SIM cards using captured customer biometrics from street vendors.

Several connections to bank accounts were discovered, indicating a large-scale financial cheating racket. Similar crime registrations in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, and Kerala underscore the nationwide extent of this issue, as noted in the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Further searches for additional associates continue as police efforts persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)