Hyderabad: The Hyderabad division of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recently unveiled a significant SIM card fraud, involving the illicit sale of 500 Vodafone Idea (VIL) SIM cards through a fraudulent Point of Sale (PoS) agent. This agent allegedly distributed these SIMs to unregistered and illegal telemarketers, with some of the cards reportedly being utilized in SIM boxes for sending bulk SMS messages, as detailed in a statement by the DoT.
Investigation Underway: FIR Filed
An FIR has been lodged against the implicated customers and the PoS agent, who is currently evading capture. Authorities have confiscated two 512-slot SIM boxes and 130 SIM cards, with ongoing investigations aimed at tracing the origin of these SIMs. The Telangana police have been proactive in supporting the operation, as confirmed by the DoT.
Government’s Initiative Against Cyber Fraud
Under the guidance of Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, the DoT is ramping up its efforts to tackle cyber fraud and digital scams. The Department’s Intelligence Unit (DIU) is undergoing enhancements at both headquarters and local levels to scrutinize telecom data and detect fraudulent activities.
The Dangers of SIM Boxes
SIM boxes are frequently exploited by criminals to facilitate social engineering scams, financial frauds, and unsolicited commercial communications (UCC). These unlawful practices not only lead to financial repercussions for individuals but also pose a threat to national security, as they can be used by anti-national elements.
The ongoing investigations by the DoT team in Hyderabad are focused on analyzing data to thwart further misuse of telecom resources and safeguard citizens from digital fraud.
