International SIM Box Racket Uncovered: Key Players Traced to Bangladesh

Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissioner Sanjeeb Panda revealed that a sophisticated SIM box racket, controlled from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was operating in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Ranchi. Led by Asadur Zaman with local help Raju Mandal, the operation rerouted international calls to India for illegal activities. Police have seized multiple SIM boxes and arrested key players.

In a significant development, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissioner Sanjeeb Panda announced on Thursday that SIM boxes set up in Bhubaneswar and Ranchi were being controlled directly from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Panda informed reporters that 30-year-old Asadur Zaman, hailing from Feni in Bangladesh, masterminded the SIM box operation, supported locally by West Bengal's Raju Mandal. While Asadur managed the Bhubaneswar and Ranchi operations remotely using smart switches, the Cuttack setup was operated manually, Panda stated.

Police have gathered substantial information, including a photograph of Asadur. These SIM boxes are used to mask original phone numbers, commonly employed in cybercrime, hate speech, extortion, and other illegal acts, posing significant challenges for law enforcement.

According to Panda, Asadur, who previously studied at a fashion and technology institute, ran a software company in Dhaka. Investigations revealed that the racket rerouted international calls from Pakistan, China, and West Asia to India.

A special police team from Odisha recently visited Ranchi and discovered another SIM box center managed by Mandal, who was arrested in Bhubaneswar on August 16. So far, police have confiscated 17 SIM boxes, 678 operational SIM cards, three internet connections, and spare SIM cards from various locations. Details of some SIM cards are being analyzed with the help of telecom operators. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Department of Telecom have also questioned Raju Mandal.

Police remand for Mandal concludes on Thursday, with plans to request a seven-day extension for further inquiries. Panda mentioned seeking Interpol's assistance via the CBI to gather more information about Asadur. Police noted that Asadur's Indian visa is valid until October 24, 2024. He entered India on October 21, 2023, and exited on December 24, 2023. Mandal reportedly visited Bangladesh by bus for business meetings, planning the SIM box operation with Asadur during these trips. Mandal managed the SIM boxes by traveling weekly from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal to Cuttack.

(With inputs from agencies.)