Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced that the Central government has cancelled 12 lakh SIM cards and ensured that IMEI numbers blocked exceeded 3 lakh mobile devices as part of a sweeping nationwide crackdown on cybercrime. He added that 20,853 accused individuals have been arrested in connection with cyber offences up to December 2025. 

Shah shared these figures while addressing the National Conference on “Tackling Cyber-Enabled Frauds and Dismantling the Ecosystem,” organized by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The conference focused on strategies to dismantle the growing organized ecosystem of cybercrime. 

The large-scale action involving SIM cards being cancelled and IMEI numbers being blocked is aimed at cutting off the communication channels frequently used by fraud networks. According to Shah, these measures are part of a coordinated national effort to prevent and respond effectively to cybercrime. 

Multi-Agency Coordination Strengthened to Combat Organized Cybercrime 

The Home Minister underlined that tackling cybercrime requires close cooperation among multiple institutions. Agencies, including I4C, State Police forces, the CBI, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Department of Telecommunications, the banking sector, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the judiciary, are collectively engaged in sustained enforcement efforts. 

Emphasising the importance of inter-agency coordination, Shah said each institution has a clearly defined role and responsibility. Seamless cooperation among stakeholders, he noted, is essential to deliver effective outcomes, especially when cybercrime operations span across states and international jurisdictions. 

He described the initiative taken by the CBI and I4C as “extremely significant,” stating that it brings various departments together and strengthens the implementation of anti-cybercrime measures. Through this integrated framework, authorities aim not only to make arrests but also to dismantle the broader infrastructure supporting cybercrime activities. 

Shah also stressed the crucial role of the CBI and NIA, particularly in addressing cybercrimes originating outside India. He pointed out that lapses in maintaining the chain of custody of digital evidence often hinder convictions and remain a key challenge in prosecuting cyber offenders. 

Digital Growth, 181 Billion UPI Transactions and Rising Cybercrime Risks 

Highlighting India’s digital transformation over the past 11 years under the Digital India initiative, Shah said the country’s digital expansion has been remarkable. The number of internet users has risen from 250 million to over 1 billion, while broadband connections have grown nearly sixteenfold, also crossing the 1-billion mark. 

He further noted that the cost of one gigabyte of data has dropped by 97 per cent, expanding internet access and usage. Connectivity through the BharatNet project has also seen dramatic growth. Eleven years ago, only 546 village panchayats were connected, whereas more than 2 lakh village panchayats are now covered, ensuring connectivity from Parliament to Panchayats. 

Shah also pointed to the surge in digital financial transactions. In 2024 alone, India recorded more than 181 billion Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions with a total value exceeding Rs 233 trillion. The rapid expansion of digital payments, he indicated, has made the fight against cybercrime even more critical. 

He warned that cybercrime, which was once largely individual-driven, has now become institutionalised. Criminal groups are using advanced technologies and continuously adapting their methods. In this environment, actions such as SIM cards cancelled and IMEI numbers blocked are intended to disrupt the operational backbone of fraudulent networks. 

Calling for collective responsibility, Shah urged all agencies to identify vulnerabilities and minimise risks at every level. He said the Centre has adopted a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy to combat cybercrime. The key pillars include real-time cybercrime reporting, strengthening forensic networks, capacity building, research and development, promoting cyber awareness, and encouraging cyber hygiene. 

He cautioned that without timely intervention, cyber fraud could have escalated into a national crisis. Shah called on stakeholders to act simultaneously, whether by identifying fraudulent call centres, enhancing awareness campaigns, improving the 1930 cybercrime helpline, reducing response times, or strengthening coordination between banks and I4C.