The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three persons, including the Territorial Sales Manager of a telecom company, for the sale of unauthorized SIM cards used in cyber crimes.

As part of ‘Operation Chakra’, and in continuation of its sustained efforts to combat cyber crimes and dismantle the cyber crime infrastructure, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Cachar district, Assam, according to a press release issued by the agency on Thursday.

The release said that the CBI has registered a case with regard to unauthorized sale of SIM cards across the country, which were being used in committing various Cyber Crimes like digital arrest frauds, impersonation, fraudulent advertisements, investment scams and UPI-related frauds.

As part of these investigations, it was revealed that the Territorial Sales Manager of the said Telecom Company in Silchar, Assam, colluded with the middlemen, distributors and Point of Sale (PoS) agents with regard to issuing of unauthorized SIM cards without the knowledge of the persons in whose name SIM cards were officially issued. These sales were done by violating the laid-down guidelines and procedures.
These SIM cards were sold illegally in bulk to various middlemen at high cost, and later these SIM cards were used in commission of various Cyber Crimes, said the release.

This operation was aimed at curbing the sale and misuse of unauthorized SIM cards being sold through distributors/ PoS agents. The searches resulted in seizure of incriminating evidence like mobile phones, electronic devices and copies of KYC documents, etc.

This action underscores the Government of India’s resolute commitment to combating Cyber Crimes and bringing its perpetrators to face the law, as well as a special focus on dismantling the infrastructure which facilitates such crimes.

The accused were produced before the local Magistrate Court and a transit remand was obtained. They will be produced before the jurisdictional FIR Court on Friday, the release said.