In a statewide crackdown on Points of Sale (POS) issuing unnamed SIM cards for illegal activities in the state, the Gujarat Police have filed 15 complaints and detained 18 people.
R B Brahmbhatt, director of CID Crime, was recently informed by the DOT office in Ahmedabad that 29,000 fake SIM cards had been fraudulently issued using the identification of unrelated individuals. Based on the information, the State Cyber Crime Cell and Gujarat ATS launched a joint investigation into every POS where SIM cards were distributed throughout Gujarat.
An analysis of the inputs provided by the DOT revealed that SIM cards, bought on benami names, were used by racketeers to carry out crimes such as cyber fraud, betting, gambling, etc.
According to the State Cybercrime, 29,000 SIM cards were purchased using 486 photos. The team tracked down fake SIM cards that were still in use and discovered both their locations and the POS that had issued them. All local cybercrime police stations received this list. Additionally, 16,000 consumer application forms were obtained and given to the local police.
Local police, crime branches, cybercrime police and SOG began probe, resulting in filing of 15 FIRs and arrest of 18 accused. An official said owners of 20 POS who have sold 7,000 bogus SIM cards have come to light and further probe is underway.