Assam CID Intensifies Crackdown on Cybercrime with New Arrests

The Assam CID has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime, arresting three more suspects linked to an organized fraud network involving illegal SIM card handling. This brings the total number of arrests to eight in just a few days. The investigation reveals that the network primarily targeted women, misusing their personal documents under the guise of legitimate business activities. Authorities suspect that the arrested individuals were part of a SIM box operation, facilitating extensive cyber fraud. As the investigation unfolds, more arrests are anticipated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to dismantle this illicit network.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 16:08 IST

Recent Developments in Cybercrime Crackdown

Guwahati, March 17: In an ongoing effort to combat cybercrime associated with the illicit management of SIM cards, the Cyber Police Station of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Assam has apprehended three additional suspects, raising the total number of arrests in this case to eight within just a few days.

The individuals taken into custody have been named as Mehdi Alom Jinnah, Galib Ijaz Ahmed, and Jahirul Islam.

These arrests occurred in Morigaon, Lahorighat, and Nagaon on Monday, further expanding the investigation into what officials describe as a sophisticated cyber fraud operation.

CID representatives report that this network primarily targeted women, allegedly misusing their personal documents under the pretense of legitimate business activities.

“We have identified additional connections, leading to the arrest of three more individuals. Upon Mehdi Alom's arrest, he claimed to have supplied SIM cards to Jahirul Islam, asserting he was unaware of their usage,” stated Saurav Jyoti Saikia, Senior Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime-II), CID.

He continued, “Following the engagement of sources during our investigation, we apprehended Jahirul Islam yesterday. There are further connections and additional suspects we are pursuing.”

Authorities suspect that the arrested individuals were involved in a SIM box operation, a common tactic in cyber fraud for routing illegal communications.

“They distributed SIM cards, which we believe were utilized in SIM boxes. Evidence indicates that all SIMs were purchased, recharged, and deactivated simultaneously,” Saikia noted, highlighting a coordinated misuse pattern.

The CID also disclosed that the suspects allegedly established handloom and textile businesses as a facade, enrolling numerous women and collecting their documents.

These documents were reportedly used to create mule bank accounts and activate SIM cards, enabling fraudulent financial activities.

The recent arrests follow a significant breakthrough in the case, where the CID dismantled a cyber fraud ring in Kamrup district, resulting in five arrests and the seizure of nearly 1,000 SIM cards.

Initial investigations at that time revealed a well-structured racket that procured SIM cards using forged or misappropriated documents, which were then utilized in extensive cyber fraud schemes.

Officials believe that the latest arrests are linked to the same expanding network, with more connections expected to emerge as the investigation continues.

The CID has indicated that further arrests are anticipated as efforts persist to dismantle the network involved in the illegal SIM trade and related cybercrime activities.