In a major crackdown on international cybercrime, Uttar Pradesh Police has uncovered a sophisticated racket involving the theft of Indian citizens’ identities to fraudulently obtain SIM cards. These SIMs were used to relay OTPs (One-Time Passwords) to cybercriminals operating in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The SIMs were primarily used to activate WhatsApp accounts, which were then exploited for a range of illegal activities, including cyber fraud and human trafficking via digital platforms, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashish Tiwari.

📌 How the Identity Theft and SIM Fraud Operated

The scheme involved a chain of individuals:

• Vipin, one of the key accused, procured multiple SIM cards using stolen Aadhaar details. These SIMs were handed over to associates responsible for providing OTPs to foreign clients.

• Sachin Kumar, a Point-of-Sale (PoS) agent for telecom operators, played a central role by misusing customer identity documents. He misled users by saying their SIM activation had failed due to technical issues, while in reality, he used their credentials to illegally activate new SIM cards.

• Sachin is believed to have activated over 1,000 SIM cards, distributing them among various accomplices.

• Two women from Uttarakhand, Huma and Anterfa, were found to have obtained over 1,700 SIM cards from Sachin. They were allegedly part of international WhatsApp groups promoting fake job offers and provided OTPs in exchange for Rs 80–100 per OTP.

• The women were reportedly trained in fraud techniques by Mohtsin, another accused who is already in jail for forgery.

🕵️ How Were These SIMs Misused?

Once activated, the SIM cards were used to:

• Register WhatsApp accounts in India

• Share OTPs with international cyber gangs

• Facilitate illegal online operations, including scams and trafficking

This allowed foreign-based criminals to conduct fraud while masking their location using Indian numbers, making detection more difficult for enforcement agencies.

🔒 How to Protect Yourself: Check SIMs Registered in Your Name

You can check how many SIM cards are registered under your name via the Sanchar Saathi Portal, an initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT):

✅ Steps to Verify:

1. Go to: https://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in

2. Click on Citizen Centric Services

3. Select "Know Mobile Connections in Your Name"

4. Enter your mobile number

5. Verify with the OTP sent to your number

6. View the list of active SIMs issued in your name

7. If you spot any unknown or unauthorized numbers, you can raise a request to block or report misuse

8. Takeaway

The bust highlights growing threats of identity theft and cybercrime, particularly with stolen credentials being used to fuel international fraud networks. The case also emphasizes the need for strict telecom regulation enforcement, customer awareness, and vigilance in sharing personal documents.

The UP Police has assured that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.