Major Cybercrime Racket Busted in Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad city cybercrime branch has made another significant arrest in an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated racket that illegally issued SIM cards using customers' personal documents and channeled them to Dubai and Cambodia. This criminal network utilized these fraudulently obtained SIM cards for various organized cybercrimes including cricket betting and digital arrest scams.
How the SIM Card Fraud Operated
According to senior cybercrime branch officers, the operation was meticulously planned to make SIM cards appear legitimate on paper while serving criminal purposes. The gang relied on telecom agents who would approach customers promising routine services such as SIM transfers. These agents would collect crucial documents including Aadhaar cards, election IDs, and even fingerprints from unsuspecting customers.
Investigators revealed that the agents would then falsely claim that the server was down and the process had failed. However, behind the customer's back, fresh SIM cards were issued in their name and immediately handed to middlemen for commission payments. The entire process was designed to exploit customer trust while maintaining the appearance of legitimate telecom operations.
International Connections and Latest Arrest
The breakthrough came on November 27 when investigators discovered that SIM cards issued in a complainant's name were active inside Cambodia-based scam call centres. A senior cybercrime branch officer stated that the complainant only realized his identity had been misused after police traced a live fraud call to a number registered in his name.
In the latest development, authorities have detained Kuldeep Joshi from Kankrej, Banaskantha, who was apprehended from Tharad. This marks the fourth arrest in the case, with three previous accused having been arrested from Ahmedabad, Radhanpur, and Rajasthan.
Investigators have mapped out the racket's sophisticated four-layer operation structure. The network involved local telecom 'umbrella agents' who collected documents, SIM collectors who managed the distribution, interstate handlers who coordinated the logistics, and Dubai-based couriers who ultimately pushed the consignments to Cambodia.
The financial motivation behind this criminal enterprise was substantial, with each illegally obtained SIM card fetching between Rs 400 and Rs 1,500 depending on its intended criminal use. The price variation reflected the specific purposes the SIM cards would serve in the international cybercrime ecosystem.
Broader Implications and Public Warning
This case highlights the growing sophistication of identity theft operations in India and their connections to international cybercrime networks. The digital arrest scam phenomenon has become increasingly concerning, where fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials to extort money from victims.
Cybercrime authorities are urging citizens to be extremely cautious when sharing personal documents and to regularly verify if any additional SIM cards have been issued in their name without their knowledge. The case continues to develop as investigators work to uncover the full extent of this international criminal network.
