A police team investigating a cyber fraud case has arrested Abdul Roshan, a man reportedly involved in supplying mobile phone SIM cards to online fraudsters across the country. The operation resulted in the recovery of 40,000 SIM cards from various mobile operators and 180 mobile phones.

Cyber Police Inspector I.C. Chitharanjan and his team apprehended Abdul Roshan, 46, from Haranhalli in Karnataka, at a rented house in Madikeri. District Police Chief S. Sasidharan identified Roshan as the kingpin of a cyber fraud group that cheated a man from Vengara out of ₹1.08 crore. The victim was lured into depositing cash into different bank accounts through a fake online share market scam, which promised huge profits.

Using advanced cyber technology, the police team, in collaboration with Karnataka Police, tracked down and arrested Roshan. Investigations revealed that Roshan had been collecting and using SIM cards registered under various names without the knowledge of the individuals. The SIM card used in the Vengara scam was registered in the name of a woman who was unaware of its existence.

Roshan obtained the SIM cards with the help of friends working in mobile retail shops, paying ₹50 per card. He reportedly collected biometric fingerprints from unsuspecting customers, often making them submit their fingerprints multiple times to register different SIM cards in their names. These activated SIM cards were then distributed to fraudsters.

The police are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraud network and to bring all involved to justice.

News Source: The Hindu

Date: May 10, 2024