Kolkata Police’s cyber cell has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the fake SIM scam, arresting two more individuals linked to the racket. The latest crackdown resulted in the seizure of a staggering 1,274 active SIM cards and three fingerprint scanners. With these arrests, the total number of suspects apprehended in the case has risen to ten since the end of February. The operation has exposed a widespread network involved in fraudulent SIM card distribution, raising serious concerns over the misuse of fake SIMs in cybercrime activities.
SIM Fraud Racket Expands: Police Crack Down on Key Players
Following an intensive investigation, the cyber cell of Kolkata Police zeroed in on a suspect operating in the Tiljala police station area. On Monday, officers conducted a search operation at Picnic Garden Road and apprehended Shuvendu Gayen, a key figure in the fraudulent SIM network. According to police sources, Shuvendu had been actively engaged in illegally obtaining mobile SIM connections. He allegedly exploited stolen customer documents and forged identities to activate fake SIM cards, which were later sold to fraudsters at exorbitant rates.
During the raid, law enforcement officials recovered 1,222 active SIM cards from Shuvendu’s possession. Additionally, authorities confiscated a significant sum of 1,95,000 taka in cash, a mobile phone, and a fingerprint scanner. The scale of the seizure suggests that the suspect was deeply entrenched in the fake SIM supply chain, playing a pivotal role in enabling cybercriminals to operate undetected.
Further interrogation of Shuvendu led investigators to another individual believed to be closely associated with the illicit trade. The police traced Jitendra Agarwal to Bidhan Sarani under Girish Park police station. Jitendra, who ran a mobile shop, was allegedly responsible for collecting and distributing the fake SIMs procured from Shuvendu. Acting on intelligence, the police laid a trap and successfully arrested Jitendra on Monday night. A search of his shop yielded 52 sealed SIM cards, two fingerprint scanners, a mobile phone, and cash amounting to 43,500 rupees.
Fake SIM Scam: A Growing Threat in Kolkata
The arrests of Shuvendu and Jitendra mark another significant step in dismantling the fake SIM syndicate that has been operating across Kolkata. Authorities fear that these fraudulent SIM cards could be linked to a wide range of illegal activities, including financial fraud, identity theft, and organized cybercrimes.
The police have been working relentlessly to curb the spread of such operations. The latest arrests come after a large-scale operation on February 24 and 25, during which eight individuals were taken into custody from various locations across the city. The fake SIM racket appears to be deeply rooted, with multiple layers of operatives engaged in procuring, activating, and distributing illegal SIM cards.
Law enforcement officials are now intensifying their investigation to uncover the full extent of the network. Both Shuvendu and Jitendra will be presented in court on Tuesday, where authorities are expected to seek further custody to extract more details about their links to larger criminal syndicates.
As digital fraud cases continue to rise, police warn citizens against sharing personal documents carelessly. With the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, authorities emphasize the need for stringent telecom regulations and enhanced verification mechanisms to prevent the proliferation of fake SIMs in the market. The recent bust serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the system and the urgent need for robust security measures to combat SIM-related fraud.
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