UP STF and Mumbai Police Nab Cybercrime Syndicate SIM Supplier

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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat

UP STF and Mumbai Police Nab Cybercrime Syndicate SIM Supplier

In a significant breakthrough against cybercrime, the Mumbai Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF), has arrested a key accused involved in supplying SIM cards to cyber fraudsters. The joint operation led to the apprehension of Sihan Sheikh (35), who was wanted with a reward of Rs 50,000.

Sihan Sheikh, a resident of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, had been living in Mumbai for nearly 25 years. According to Mumbai Police sources, he allegedly obtained over 10,000 SIM cards from his native district using forged documents. These SIM cards were then sold to cybercriminals active both within India and abroad.

Investigation revealed that many of these SIM cards were sold at high prices to foreign nationals. The cards reportedly reached cybercrime syndicates operating from countries such as Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. These SIMs were used in various fraudulent activities, including digital arrest scams, online stock market trading frauds, parcel delivery scams, and gaming app-related cheats.

Following inputs received by the UP Police that Sihan Sheikh was hiding in Mumbai’s Colaba area, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. Subsequently, the Mumbai CIU and UP STF teams conducted a coordinated raid leading to his arrest. Post-arrest, he has been handed over to the UP STF for further investigation.

Police have noted that Sihan Sheikh was employed at a tour and travel company and had skillfully evaded law enforcement for years. He never registered any mobile phone or electronic gadget in his own name. Instead, he operated through SIM cards and phones registered under a friend’s name to mislead authorities and avoid detection.

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