The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) caught three people for illegally getting and selling SIM cards and bank accounts. They found 113 SIM cards and three mobile phones with them.
The TGCSB launched a thorough investigation into a cybercrime network that operates across different Indian States and even internationally in places like Dubai, Thailand, and Cambodia.
The arrested individuals were Shaik Subhani (26) from Jagadgirigutta, K Naveen (22) from Chintal, Jeedimetla, M Prem Kumar alias Michael, and Mike Tisson (24) from RTC X Road.
The police explained that the accused used other people’s identities to get SIM cards, which they then sold to cybercriminals, mostly in Dubai. The process involved various individuals from different States who were responsible for collecting, transporting, and exporting the SIM cards.
Deputy Superintendent of Police KVM Prasad mentioned that key players in Dubai coordinated with their associates in India to receive the SIM cards and bank accounts. The main accused in Dubai, Vijay, worked with SIM card suppliers from Uttar Pradesh.
These SIM cards were sent to Michael, who then passed them on to Naveen and Subhani using Rapido. Naveen and Subhani would give the SIM cards to Vijay when he came to India. Vijay sold the SIM cards to the Chinese management at a higher price as he worked in a Chinese-run call centre in Dubai.
The accused sold the SIM cards for prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000, depending on their role in the supply chain. They created Telegram groups like ‘Indian SIM Cards Sale’ and ‘Indian Bank Accounts Sale’ to find buyers. Buyers were contacted privately on Telegram to discuss the sale and then received the physical SIM cards after finalizing the deal for cash.
The accused in Dubai frequently visited India to collect SIM cards, which they then sold to Chinese nationals involved in cybercrimes. Some SIM cards were also sent to Thailand and Cambodia.
