In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted an organised SIM Box network operating across Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh. Investigators recovered over 21,000 SIM cards that were illegally procured and used for large scale phishing and financial fraud targeting unsuspecting victims. Authorities say the operation highlights the scale and sophistication of modern cybercrime networks in India.
A SIM Box is a device capable of holding hundreds or thousands of SIM cards simultaneously. Criminals use it to disguise international calls as local calls bypass telecom charges and monitoring systems and send bulk SMS messages containing phishing links fake loan offers and investment traps. The constantly changing numbers and routing make tracing the source extremely difficult. Most SIM cards are obtained using fake identities and inserted into SIM Box machines connected to servers and dongles. Victims then receive messages containing malicious links and unknowingly share banking credentials or OTPs allowing fraudsters to steal money within minutes.
The CBI noted that foreign cyber gangs are also exploiting such networks making SIM Box fraud a transnational threat. Experts from the Future Crime Research Foundation explain that SIM Box networks operate through “unseen traffic layers” which makes abnormal activity hard to detect until damage is done. Former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh warned “Wherever you see large volumes of SIMs random call/SMS spikes and fast shifting routes it’s a clear sign of an organised cyber network. Strict audits of SIM retailers and stronger e-KYC enforcement are absolutely essential.”
The scam poses multiple risks including financial loss identity theft and national security threats since international calls can be disguised as local. Authorities advise avoiding links promising loans jobs or investments being cautious of messages from unknown numbers and reporting suspicious activity on cybercrime.gov.in. Victims are urged to contact banks immediately enable spam filters and update passwords. Experts say that enforcing tighter e-KYC rules monitoring SIM retailers and real time traffic checks will be crucial in preventing such scams in the future.
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