In a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime operations, Hyderabad Police has uncovered a major ghost SIM card network allegedly used by cybercriminals across India to carry out online fraud activities.
The operation, named ‘Operation Octopus 3.0,’ was conducted across 13 States and resulted in the arrest of 66 suspects.
Police said the investigation began after cybercrime teams tracked 1,194 ghost SIM cards connected to multiple cyber fraud cases. During the week-long operation, 18 special teams conducted raids in several States and seized 544 SIM cards, including 432 sealed SIMs and 112 active connections.
Among those arrested were 44 ghost SIM users, 20 point-of-sale agents and telecom promoters, along with 2 SIM suppliers.
V. C. Sajjanar said the accused were linked to 76 cybercrime cases registered across the country involving fraud worth more than ₹101.87 crore. “It was found that some telecom agents were illegally activating extra cards using customers’ biometric details during new SIM purchases or mobile number portability procedures, often without the users’ knowledge,” he said.
Investigators found that cybercriminals were converting the illegally activated SIM cards into e-SIMs and transferring them to operators based outside India. “The numbers were then used to create fake accounts on messaging platforms, matrimonial websites, and dating apps to carry out scams, including sextortion, digital arrest fraud, and impersonation scams,” the commissioner explained.
The crackdown covered Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and several other States.
Officials also said discussions will soon be held with telecom companies and central agencies to strengthen KYC verification norms and prevent misuse of SIM cards in cyber fraud activities.
Police advised citizens to regularly check the number of mobile connections registered in their name through the official Sanchar Saathi portal and immediately report cyber fraud incidents through the national helpline 1930 or the cybercrime reporting portal.
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