An investigation into cybercrime-linked financial fraud has led Delhi Police to arrest 2 men accused of using subsidised medicine camps to collect villagers’ Aadhaar and biometric details. The information was allegedly used to activate e-SIM cards for cybercriminals.
The accused, Jitendra Singh, 29, and Brajesh Kumar, 21, are from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. They have been linked to fraud complaints involving approximately Rs 2.64 crore.
Police found that the activated e-SIM cards were allegedly supplied to cybercriminals for activities such as digital arrest scams and setting up SIM-box systems.
The investigation began after a digital arrest complaint in which a victim was allegedly threatened with legal action during repeated video calls. The victim was reportedly pressured into transferring Rs 1.64 crore through 6 RTGS transactions to 6 bank accounts over nearly 2 weeks.
Technical analysis of mobile numbers and device-related data led investigators to the Vrindavan-Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh. The findings pointed to a network involved in procuring, activating and supplying e-SIM cards to support cybercrime operations.
Singh and Kumar were arrested during an operation on the intervening night of October 20 and 21.
According to the investigation, the 2 men had been involved in procuring, activating and supplying physical SIM cards and e-SIMs for around 1 year. They allegedly worked together to procure and trade approximately 20–30 e-SIM cards daily.
Preliminary findings suggest that the accused obtained and resold activated e-SIMs and QR codes through social media channels. DCP (IFSO) Gaurav Tyagi said the investigation also revealed the alleged misuse of identity details collected at health camps.
Police allege that the men persuaded villagers to share Aadhaar and biometric information by presenting the camps as an opportunity to access subsidised medicines. These details were then allegedly misused to obtain SIM cards.
Tyagi said the alleged misuse of identity information is being investigated further. The accused also allegedly contacted sellers through online groups and messaging platforms to obtain already activated e-SIMs.
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