Global SIM Box Scam Busted by Indian Cyber Police

The Cyber Crime Police Station of CID in Andhra Pradesh has successfully dismantled an international cybercrime network. This network was involved in routing foreign calls to India and making them appear as local calls through illicit SIM Box operations. The investigation, triggered by suspicious calling activity in Visakhapatnam, revealed that operators based in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand were using VoIP calls.

These international calls were terminated locally in India via SIM Box devices. Installed in rented properties and connected to broadband lines, these devices utilized multiple Indian SIM cards to convert the VoIP calls into local GSM calls. This process effectively masked the international origin of the calls, making them seem like domestic mobile communications. Communication among the accused reportedly occurred via encrypted messaging apps, with fake identities used for SIM card procurement.

Following technical analysis and coordination with the Department of Telecommunications and Customs, searches were conducted across multiple cities, including Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Goa. Fourteen individuals, including foreign nationals and local collaborators, have been apprehended. The seized items included 14 SIM Boxes, 1,496 SIM cards, and various electronic devices. Preliminary verification indicates a potential financial impact of approximately ₹20 crore, with numerous complaints registered in Andhra Pradesh.