Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 15: In a significant crackdown on cyber fraud, the city police have arrested two individuals who were allegedly collecting SIM cards for foreign cybercriminals. The police seized 86 SIM cards from Airtel, along with two mobile phones, a Swift car, and assets worth Rs 5,49,300.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shamadh Muhammad Samar (26) and Muhammad Azeem (19), both from Beltangady. Shamadh is a BBA student in Mangaluru and was residing in a rented house, while Muhammad Azeem was also staying in a rented house in the city. The two were reportedly procuring SIM cards from their friends and acquaintances by offering them small amounts of money, under the instructions of two others identified as Mustafa from Beltangady and Sajid from Madanthyar.

The accused have been engaged in this illegal activity since January and have reportedly collected and sent 400 to 500 SIM cards abroad. They were buying these SIM cards by paying Rs 200 to Rs 300 to their acquaintances and then handing them over to Mustafa and Sajid.

Cybercriminals in Dubai and other countries purchase Indian SIM cards to defraud Indian citizens. They prefer using Indian SIM cards because it helps them gain the trust of Indian victims more easily, making their fraudulent schemes more effective.

In February, Dharmasthala police had arrested five individuals and seized 42 SIM cards from them. It is suspected that the two arrested by Mangaluru city police might have connections to those involved in the Dharmasthala case. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network involved in this cyber fraud operation.