In a significant development against cybercrime, the Jodhpur Commissionerate Police in Rajasthan have dismantled a large-scale international cyber fraud operation involving transactions exceeding Rs 1,100 crore. The syndicate spanned India, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia, with its main hub situated in Cambodia. The crackdown was overseen by Police Commissioner Omprakash.
The investigation uncovered that scammers utilized illegally activated Indian SIM cards to contact victims through WhatsApp, enticing them with fraudulent investment and online trading schemes. Technical analysis revealed that the fraudulent calls and messages were traced back to locations in Cambodia, particularly Preah Sihanouk (Sihanoukville), despite using Indian phone numbers. The illicitly transported SIM cards were exploited for cyber fraud activities targeting Indian nationals.
Authorities disclosed that around 36,000 Indian SIM cards were found to be in use in Cambodia, with 5,300 of them being linked to fraudulent activities amounting to Rs 1,100 crore across various Indian states. The deceptive modus operandi involved activating two SIM cards instead of one during customer verifications at mobile SIM Point-of-Sale outlets.
Five key suspects, including SIM distributors and agents, have been apprehended in connection with the case. Notably, a Look Out Circular has been issued against four Malaysian nationals implicated in smuggling SIM cards to Cambodia. The cyber fraud scheme impacted multiple states, with significant sums embezzled from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
Law enforcement is now taking steps to block nearly 5,000 suspicious SIM cards and associated WhatsApp accounts operating from Cambodia. A Special Investigation Team has been formed at the Commissionerate level to delve deeper into the case, identify additional perpetrators, beneficiaries, and financial trails.
