CBI Raids 42 Locations Across 8 States, Busts SIM Fraud Racket Under Operation Chakra-V

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at 42 locations in 8 states under the ongoing Operation Chakra-V against digital arrest. The searches are conducted in the states – Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Under the action, the agency arrested five persons.

CBI in a statement said that under the operation, searches were carried out at the premises of various Point of Sale Agents of Telecom Operators, allegedly acting in connivance with cybercrime criminals and unknown executives of



telecom service providers in issuing SIM cards. These SIM cards are subsequently used in illegal activities involving digital theft, impersonation, fraudulent advertisement, investment fraud, and UPI fraud.

The searches led to the seizure of incriminating documents and articles such as mobile phones, electronic devices, copies of KYC documents and identification of individuals, including middlemen involved in the distribution of unauthorised SIM cards and the seizure of movable property acquired from crime proceeds.