Uttarakhand News: In a major breakthrough, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a large-scale SIM card fraud operation in Haridwar, arresting several members of the gang and seizing more than 2,000 SIM cards. Nilesh Anand Bharne, IG Law & Order, confirmed the arrests, stating that the gang had been exploiting people’s Aadhaar cards and biometric information by offering gifts like tea sets and t-shirts in exchange for their personal data.
The gang would then issue SIM cards using these Aadhaar details and sell the One-Time Passwords (OTPs) generated from them to East-Asian countries. Fraudsters in these countries would activate WhatsApp accounts using the stolen SIM cards and OTPs, which were then used to commit various cyber frauds in India.
35 FIRs Registered Across India
So far, 35 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection to these frauds. Bharne highlighted that this operation has exposed a significant link between cybercriminals in East Asia and Indian fraudsters, with WhatsApp numbers being the primary tool for committing cyber crimes in the country. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking to trace further connections and prevent similar scams.
This arrest is a key step in cracking down on cybercrime, and the Uttarakhand STF is continuing its efforts to safeguard citizens from such fraudulent activities.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
The gang, operating out of Haridwar, used a clever tactic to gather Aadhaar card and biometric information. By offering unsuspecting individuals small gifts such as tea sets and t-shirts, they were able to obtain sensitive personal data. Once they had access to the Aadhaar details, they issued SIM cards in the victims’ names. These SIM cards were then sold to cybercriminals operating in East-Asian countries.
These fraudsters would activate WhatsApp accounts using the acquired SIM cards and OTPs, creating a network through which they could carry out various cyber crimes targeting individuals in India. The ability to access personal data made it easier for the criminals to commit fraud, including phishing scams and identity theft.
Potential National Security Risk
The widespread misuse of SIM cards and Aadhaar details poses a serious national security risk, as pointed out by the authorities. The fact that these SIM cards were being used internationally raises concerns about the potential for larger-scale cybercrime networks targeting Indian citizens.
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