Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police launched Operation Octopus 3.0 against a nationwide ghost SIM network that supported cybercriminal activities and arrested 66 accused across 13 states.
The Cyber Crime wing carried out the operation after identifying 1,194 ghost SIM cards linked to cyber fraud cases. Police formed 18 special teams and conducted raids for seven days in multiple states.
Police seized 544 SIM cards during the operation. The seized material included 432 sealed SIM cards and 112 activated SIM cards. Investigators identified 44 ghost SIM users, 20 Point of Sale agents or telecom promoters and two SIM suppliers among those arrested.
Officials found that the accused participated in 76 cybercrime cases registered across the country. The total fraud value in these cases reached ₹101.87 crore.
Ghost SIM network operated across 13 states
Police conducted raids in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Punjab.
Among the arrested PoS agents, 10 worked for Vodafone Idea, seven worked for Airtel and three worked for Jio.
Investigators found that agents secretly activated additional SIM cards during new SIM purchases and mobile number portability KYC verification. Agents misled customers by claiming network failures, server issues or fingerprint mismatches to collect multiple biometric scans.
Police said agents organised camps in remote villages and tribal areas to target illiterate and poor residents. They collected Aadhaar biometrics by promising free internet services and created SIM cards in the names of unsuspecting people.
Ghost SIM network used e-SIM technology for cyber fraud
Investigators found that cybercriminals converted illegally activated SIM cards into e-SIMs immediately after activation. The accused then transferred these e-SIMs digitally to foreign cybercrime syndicates without physically transporting SIM cards abroad.
The foreign gangs used Indian mobile numbers to create WhatsApp and Telegram accounts along with fake profiles on matrimonial and dating platforms. Police said the gangs used these profiles to trap victims and cheat them of lakhs and sometimes crores of rupees.
Officials stated that sextortion gangs and digital arrest fraudsters also used these Indian mobile numbers to threaten victims. Since the numbers belonged to India, victims trusted the callers easily.
Police said local SIM agents often shut down their shops overnight after activating thousands of SIM cards for cybercriminals.
Ghost SIM network triggers stricter telecom scrutiny
Hyderabad Police decided to hold meetings with senior officials from Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea regarding the ghost SIM network issue. The department also plans to approach the Department of Telecommunications and TRAI to tighten KYC norms and remove loopholes in regulations.
Police asked telecom companies to increase surveillance on PoS agents, introduce real-time verification during SIM issuance and mobile number portability, and immediately deactivate SIM cards linked to cybercrime. Officials also recommended blacklisting agents and distributors who violate regulations.
The department further advised telecom companies to use advanced technology to detect suspicious bulk SIM activations and integrate checks with Mule Hunter Data and the I4C suspects database.
Hyderabad Police urged citizens not to share Aadhaar details, biometrics or OTPs with anyone and advised them to purchase SIM cards only from authorised dealers. Citizens can verify SIM cards linked to their identity through the Sanchar Saathi portal.
Police also advised cybercrime victims to immediately contact the 1930 helpline or file complaints through the national cybercrime portal during the critical first hour after fraud detection.