New Delhi, May 10 — In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested five individuals and conducted searches at 42 locations across eight states in connection with the illegal sale of SIM cards linked to digital arrest scams.The raids carried out under the ongoing Operation Chakra V, targeted point-of-sale agents of telecom operators suspected of facilitating cybercriminal activities. The searches spanned Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, the agency confirmed.
According to a CBI spokesperson, these agents were allegedly working in tandem with cyber fraudsters and unidentified telecom executives to issue SIM cards that were then used in a variety of online scams — including digital arrest frauds, impersonation, fake advertisements, investment traps, and UPI-based frauds.
Evidence Seized in Sweeping Raids
The nationwide operation resulted in the seizure of:- Mobile phones and other electronic devices
- Forged Know Your Customer (KYC) documents
- Details of middlemen involved in the illegal SIM distribution
- Movable property acquired through proceeds of crime
Arrests Made in Four States
The CBI confirmed the arrest of five individuals from four different states for their role in issuing unauthorized SIM cards. These arrests mark a significant step in the agency’s effort to dismantle the infrastructure enabling digital fraud.The operation comes amid a rising wave of digital scams in India, particularly those involving impersonation and coercion through so-called “digital arrest” calls, where victims are manipulated into transferring money under threat of legal action.
The CBI continues to investigate and aims to identify further links in the network, especially within telecom companies suspected of being complicit.
For updates on cybercrime enforcement and digital fraud prevention, follow this story.