Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, May 18: In a significant breakthrough, Assam Police on Saturday claimed to have busted an inter-state racket that provided SIM cards to cybercriminals, including operatives in Pakistan, for creating Indian WhatsApp accounts to cheat unsuspecting victims.

Announcing the details of the operation at a press conference, Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said that 'Operation Ghost SIM' was launched following crucial intelligence shared by the military's Gajraj Corps.

“The Gajraj Corps' military intelligence provided the initial input regarding the fake SIM card racket. Their investigation traced the operation to a Pakistan connection. Assam Police’s Special Branch and Special Task Force developed this into actionable intelligence,” said DGP Singh.

He said the racket operated across Assam, Rajasthan, and Telangana, and had created fake mobile connections in various names which were used for cyber fraud and suspected anti-national activities.

"These SIMs were sent to cybercriminals within the country and even to Pakistan-based handlers. Using Indian mobile numbers, they opened WhatsApp accounts, misleading victims into thinking the calls were from India, when in fact, they originated in Pakistan," the DGP added.

Seven people were arrested in coordinated raids conducted since Friday across two districts of Assam, one in Telangana, and two in Rajasthan. Police also detained 15 others for questioning, including those in whose names the SIM cards were procured.

The police seized 948 SIM cards and multiple electronic gadgets during the raids.

A case was officially registered by the STF on May 14, and investigations are continuing to identify more links in the racket.