The CBI recently busted a major cybercrime syndicate operating out of Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh. As part of Operation Chakra-V, the agency cracked down
on what it described as a "phishing factory" that was behind mass online scams across the country. Operation Chakra-V is the CBI's latest offensive aimed at dismantling cyberfraud syndicates across the country. On the weekend, CBI teams carried out coordinated raids in Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh, cracking down on a cybercrime ring that had illegally procured more than 20,000 SIM cards. The searches led to the recovery of SIM box systems - devices capable of holding hundreds of SIM cards - that can mask international calls, bypass telecom rules and enable bulk fraudulent messaging. Also Read: Delhi Road Scuffle: Cab Driver Hits Traffic Cop First, Gets Slapped, Punched Over Parking Issue - WATCH The CBI arrested three accused in the case - Sonveer Singh, Maneesh Upreti and Himalaya. During the raids, investigators seized key digital evidence, unaccounted cash and cryptocurrency. The agency also recovered servers, communication equipment, USB hubs, dongles and thousands of SIM cards allegedly used to send lakhs of phishing messages every day. CBI officials said the operation focused on analysing patterns of fake SMS messages used to cheat people. This led to the identification of an organised gang operating from Delhi and Chandigarh that was allegedly providing bulk SMS services to cyber criminals. Also Read: ‘Impossible to Fix AQI in 9–10 Months’: What Delhi Environment Minister Said on Dealing with Pollution "It was found that even foreign cyber criminals were using this service to cheat Indian citizens. Initial investigation revealed that about 21,000 SIM cards were obtained in violation of DoT rules," said an officer, according to a TOI report. According to investigators, the illegally procured SIM cards were controlled through an online platform to send messages in bulk. These messages typically offered fake loans, investment schemes and other financial benefits, with the aim of extracting personal and banking details from unsuspecting victims. CBI has registered a case against a private firm, M/s Lord Mahavira Services India Pvt Ltd, after finding that it allegedly ran the illegal system that allowed fraudsters to send large volumes of fake messages across India. "Early findings also suggested the involvement of some channel partners of telecom companies and their employees, who helped in illegally arranging SIM cards for this fraud," the official added.
