In a major crackdown, Kolkata Police has dismantled a massive fake SIM card racket that was operating across the city and its suburbs. The racket, which exploited loopholes in the telecom system, had been fueling cybercrime networks both in India and abroad. At the center of the operation was 24-year-old Deblina Chakraborty, who, according to police, had nearly 785 SIM cards registered under her name.
How the Scam Worked
Investigations have revealed that Chakraborty and her associates were using Point of Sale (PoS) terminals of major telecom operators to fraudulently activate SIM cards. These SIMs were then sold at inflated rates to cybercriminals involved in scams like loan frauds, digital arrests, and hacking activities in countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar.
The scam came to light when cybercrime agencies flagged hundreds of fake identities linked to Chakraborty. According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), her Aadhaar details had been blacklisted after repeated violations.
Police Raids & Arrests
The Kolkata Police, after a month-long investigation, conducted multiple raids across Baguihati, Beliaghata, Topsia, Tiljala, Newtown, and Parnasree, arresting at least 10 people, including Chakraborty’s husband Anirban Saha (28) and associate Ripan Saha (22).
During these raids, police recovered:
- 2,000+ fake SIM cards (both activated and raw)
- 9 biometric authentication machines
- Fingerprint scanners embedded with glue impressions (used to bypass verification systems)
- Large sums of cash
Further interrogations led to more arrests, including Jitendra Agarwal (43), a fake SIM dealer, and Suvendu Gayen (30), a PoS operator in Tiljala. According to police, these operatives collected thumb impressions from unsuspecting customers, claiming verification had failed, and later used these details to activate fake SIMs.
SIM Cards & Cybercrime: A Growing Threat
Police say over 200 cybercrimes have been linked to these SIMs, making this one of the biggest telecom fraud cases in recent times. Fraudsters used these numbers to carry out financial scams, blackmail, and digital identity theft.
The Bengal Police has registered a case under Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act and multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Fraudulent impersonation
- Forgery of electronic records
Police & Cyber Experts Warn of Fake SIM Epidemic
Cyber experts have warned that 99% of fake SIM cards are issued in the names of people who are unaware of it. While postpaid connections require stricter verification, prepaid SIM cards are often issued fraudulently with minimal oversight.
According to cyber law expert Bivas Chatterjee, such SIMs are commonly used for financial frauds, phishing scams, and terrorist activities. He stressed the need for stricter KYC norms and real-time tracking to prevent such scams.
Final Crackdown & Government Response
The Kolkata Police has intensified its crackdown on SIM fraud. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also reviewing stricter regulations for SIM card verification.
Meanwhile, police are urging citizens to check if unknown SIMs are issued under their name using official telecom portals. Authorities have also requested telecom providers to cross-check suspicious activations and prevent large-scale misuse of SIM cards.
The Kolkata SIM scam is yet another example of how weak telecom regulations can fuel cybercrime and financial fraud. With over 2,000 fake SIMs seized in just one month, this case highlights the urgent need for stricter digital security measures to protect citizens from identity theft and financial loss.
The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.
