India’s top intelligence agency arrested a suspected key conspirator accused of supplying fraudulently obtained SIM cards to cybercriminal networks, as part of the agency’s ongoing anti-cybercrime initiative, Operation Chakra-V.

According the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the suspect was apprehended in the North Eastern city of Guwahati after allegedly evading authorities since August 2025. Investigators say the accused played a central role in procuring and distributing illegally issued mobile SIM cards that were later used in a range of cyber-enabled fraud schemes.

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The law enforcement agencies are now increasingly focusing on the infrastructure that enables digital crime rather than only the individuals carrying out the scams. Fraudulently acquired SIM cards are a valuable tool for cybercriminals because they can be used to create anonymous accounts, bypass identity checks, receive one-time passwords (OTPs), and operate scam call centers with reduced traceability.

The CBI said its broader investigation uncovered a network involving Point of Sale (POS) agents who allegedly issued SIM cards using fake or improperly verified customer identities. These SIM cards were then reportedly supplied to criminals linked to fake “digital arrest” extortion scams, fraudulent loan offers, and investment fraud operations.

Authorities stated that searches were previously conducted at around 45 locations across eight Indian states, resulting in the arrest of 10 accused POS agents. The latest suspect is believed to have acted as an aggregator within the network.

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Investigators allege the accused transferred nearly ₹67 lakh through multiple bank accounts to procure approximately 10,000 illegally issued SIM cards. Evidence related to courier shipments used for distributing the cards has also reportedly been recovered, suggesting a structured logistics chain behind the operation.

From a cybersecurity perspective, the case underscores how telecom identity abuse remains a critical threat vector. Even sophisticated fraud campaigns often depend on simple enablers such as fraudulent SIM issuance, mule bank accounts, and compromised identity records.

The CBI said investigations into additional conspirators are ongoing. As cyber fraud grows more industrialized, dismantling support networks like these may prove just as important as arresting the scammers who interact directly with victims.

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