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International SIM box fraud network busted in Andhra Pradesh

by VARINDIA 2025-12-29

The Andhra Pradesh cyber- crime police have uncovered a large-scale international cyberfraud network that used SIM box technology to defraud people, authorities said. SIM boxes allow operators to route international calls through local SIM cards, bypassing legal channels and masking the origin of calls, making detection difficult.

The investigation, prompted by a complaint from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), revealed a sophisticated operation involving foreign financiers, cryptocurrency transactions, and fraudulent activities totalling at least ₹20 crore within the state.

Raids and Arrests Uncover Extensive Network

Cyber Crime SP Adiraj Singh Rana reported that police identified 14 SIM box devices operating as part of the international network. During coordinated raids, officers seized over 1,500 illegal SIM cards and arrested 20 people, including local operators, SIM aggregators, and fraudulent agents.

A foreign national was also apprehended in West Bengal. SP Rana stated that this individual entered India specifically to set up the high-tech devices and train local recruits in their operation. The criminal network reportedly relied on misinformation and deception to smuggle SIM boxes into the country, while financial transactions were heavily masked using cryptocurrency and a series of "mule accounts" to evade banking scrutiny.

Ongoing Investigation Points to Larger Scale

While authorities have so far traced ₹20 crore in cybercrime to the recovered SIMs, investigators believe the actual scale may be far larger. Only a few devices have undergone complete forensic analysis, and many more SIM cards may still be active across India.

Police are currently examining vast amounts of data to identify additional fake agents who supplied the SIM cards, with further arrests expected as investigations progress. The Andhra Pradesh cyber- crime team is also coordinating with the Customs Department to understand how the devices were imported and has issued advisories based on their findings.

SP Rana emphasized that the case demonstrates the growing sophistication of cybercrime operations, especially those with international links. The authorities are urging vigilance among telecom operators and financial institutions to prevent similar fraud in the future.