Delhi police nabs Bihar man supplying SIM cards to overseas cybercriminals

In a significant crackdown, Delhi Police on Saturday arrested a man from Bihar’s Gaya for allegedly supplying SIM cards to international cybercriminals operating in China, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian nations. The accused, Anuj Kumar, was found in possession of 5,000 SIM cards and 25 mobile phones, as per police officials.

How the crime unfolded

The investigation began after a complaint was lodged by a chartered accountant who claimed to have been defrauded of ₹20 lakh by someone impersonating a company director. The seriousness of the case prompted the South-East district cyber police to launch a thorough inquiry. Technical surveillance and mobile tracking led the team to Anuj Kumar, who was revealed to be the mastermind behind the illegal operation.

Modus operandi of the crime

Anuj Kumar, an authorised Airtel SIM card distributor, leveraged Gaya’s status as a popular tourist hub, particularly among South Asian visitors, to establish a network for illegally supplying SIM cards. He conducted large-scale SIM vending camps in rural areas, using fraudulent identification to procure multiple SIM cards under single IDs. These cards were then routed through Nepal and distributed internationally.

The role of SIM cards in cyber frauds

These untraceable SIM cards were allegedly used for various cybercrimes, including digital fraud, investment scams, and financial embezzlement. According to police, Anuj has supplied over 1,000 such illegal SIM cards abroad. The recovered items include 3,400 Airtel SIM cards and a significant number of Vodafone cards.

Police investigations revealed that Anuj's operation catered to cybercriminals seeking anonymity for illicit activities. By supplying these SIM cards, he provided a crucial tool for scams that were difficult to trace back to their perpetrators.