A SIM box racket was dismantled in Kolkata with the apprehension of Mohammad Amjad (38) in connection with a cyber fraud totaling over Rs 3 crore. The arrest was made after a raid in central Kolkata’s Amherst Street.
Police uncovered the accused’s identity, Mohammad Amjad, through the interrogation of Abir Sheikh, who was previously arrested for operating a similar SIM box ring. The fraudulent activity occurred last October, where a businessman from Behala was tricked into sending money after being threatened with arrest by individuals posing as law enforcement officials.
The fraudsters coerced the couple into paying by showing fake ID cards and documents during a video call. Following the realization of being scammed, the victims reported the incident to the cyber police station, leading to the arrest of Amjad, who also owns a shop on Marquis Street.
During the investigation, illegal items were seized from Amjad’s premises, including 12 SIM boxes, a laptop, routers, mobiles, and thousands of SIM cards. The probe revealed the use of a ‘SIM box’ device for making international calls appear as local calls, allowing the scammers to evade regulations and hide their identities.
Authorities also discovered another individual, Abir Sheikh, involved in a similar network in Kolkata, utilizing virtual numbers and a VPN to conceal his location. The mastermind behind the operation is believed to be Biplab Hossain, with connections to a Malaysian national. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the gang’s international ties.
