The Kolkata Police have uncovered a major SIM card fraud operation in Bengal, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of thousands of illegally obtained SIM cards. The investigation, which began in February 2024, comes amid India’s intensified nationwide efforts to combat telecom fraud through enhanced security measures and verification protocols.
Law enforcement officials arrested 24-year-old Deblina Chakraborty, identified as the “highest provider of fake SIMs” in West Bengal, along with her husband Anirban Saha (28) and Ripan Saha (22) during a raid in Baguihati on February 24th. The operation led to the recovery of hundreds of SIM cards, mobile phones, and biometric authentication machines used to circumvent India’s mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric verification system for SIM cards.
According to investigators, Chakraborty employed deceptive methods to obtain and distribute fake SIM cards. She would collect thumb impressions from customers under the pretense of failed verification attempts while successfully processing verifications with service providers. The technique enabled her to acquire multiple pre-activated SIM cards, which were subsequently sold to fraudsters both domestically and internationally.
The investigation revealed that approximately 785 SIM cards were issued under Chakraborty’s name before she was blacklisted. These SIM cards were linked to various cybercrimes, including digital arrest, loan fraud, and hacking, with some criminal activities traced to Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. The international connection raises particular concern as both Thailand and India are preparing to implement stricter biometric authentication requirements for SIM cards in 2025.
Following the initial arrests, authorities conducted raids across multiple locations including Beliaghata, Topsia, Tiljala, Newtown, and Parnasree. On February 25, police apprehended four additional suspects: Sajal Mondal (33), Arijit Roy (33), MD. Reza (22), and Rajesh Mahato (28). During these operations, authorities seized hundreds of SIM cards and discovered biometric devices with fingerprint impressions embedded in glue.
Further arrests included Suvendu Gayen (30), a POS operator arrested in Tiljala on March 3rd for activating SIM cards using customers’ credentials, and Jitendra Agarwal (43), a fake SIM dealer. The total seizure from these operations amounted to 729 SIM cards, nine biometric authentication machines, and various other items.
“99 percent of the fake SIM cards are issued in the name of people who are not even aware of this. In post-paid connections, still some rules are followed but in case of prepaid SIMs, fake SIMs are often issued easily,” said cyber expert and lawyer Bivas Chatterjee. The observation matches recent findings from other major document fraud investigations in India that have exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s KYC verification systems.
The Kolkata Police have seized more than 2,000 fake SIM cards in total, with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) documenting over 200 cybercrimes connected to the SIM cards distributed through this network. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Indian authorities in implementing strict SIM card verification rules designed to prevent telecommunications fraud.
Sources: The Indian Express, Navbharat Times
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