CBI Conducts Raids Across 8 States in Crackdown on Cybercrime and SIM Card Fraud

In a major operation against cybercrime networks, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday carried out raids at 42 locations across eight states. The operation resulted in the arrest of five people for their alleged involvement in selling SIM cards without proper verification, officials said.

The crackdown was part of the ongoing Operation Chakra-V, aimed at targeting transnational cybercrime and digital arrest syndicates. The CBI said the raids were conducted at the premises of several Point of Sale (PoS) agents of telecom companies. These agents are suspected of working with cybercriminals and some unidentified telecom company executives to issue SIM cards by bypassing KYC (Know Your Customer) norms.

According to officials, these SIM cards were used in various illegal activities such as digital arrest scams, impersonation, fraudulent advertisements, investment scams, and UPI-based frauds.

The raids were carried out in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. During the operation, the CBI seized several incriminating items, including mobile phones, electronic devices, and fake KYC documents. Investigators also identified middlemen who helped in distributing these unauthorised SIM cards. Movable assets acquired through these illegal activities were also seized.

A senior official stated that five people from four different states were arrested for their direct involvement in the illegal sale of SIM cards.

The government has reiterated its commitment to tackling cybercrime with strict action against those involved. The investigation is still ongoing.