Uttarakhand Authorities Bust International SIM Card Fraud Racket

Uttarakhand police, in collaboration with the Home Ministry, arrested the mastermind behind an international cyber fraud racket in Manglaur, Haridwar. The criminal activated over 20,000 SIM cards for cyber frauds in various countries. Authorities recovered 1,816 SIM cards and other devices. Victims were lured with fake investment schemes resulting in losses over Rs 1 crore.

Uttarakhand police and the Home Ministry on Monday dismantled an international cyber fraud racket, arresting the mastermind from Manglaur in Haridwar district.

Sohil (not his real name), who had been operating the cartel for around a year, was apprehended in the Manglaur police station area. IG (Law and Order) Nilesh Anand Bharne revealed that the suspect had activated over 20,000 SIM cards, which were then provided to cybercriminals in various Indian states and Southeast Asian countries.

Authorities confiscated 1,816 SIM cards, multiple mobile phones, biometric devices, and other materials from the suspect's possession. He lured local women with fake government schemes to obtain their identification documents and biometric data, facilitating the fraudulent activation of SIM cards. The mastermind sold these cards to cyber thugs, who used them for fake online trading and investment schemes, deceiving victims out of more than Rs 1 crore.

(With inputs from agencies.)