Assam Police Uncovers Sophisticated Fake SIM Card Racket in Major Operation
In a significant move against cybercrime, Assam Police has exposed a complex fake SIM card racket through 'Operation Ghost SIM'. This operation, based on intelligence from the Indian Army, led to the arrest of seven individuals across multiple states. The counterfeit SIM cards were reportedly used to create WhatsApp accounts that sent one-time passwords to Pakistan, posing a serious threat to national security. The investigation highlights the ongoing challenges posed by cybercriminals and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat such activities. Read on to learn more about the details of this operation and its implications.
| May 17, 2025, 19:43 IST
Major Operation Against Cybercrime
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime and suspected anti-national activities, Assam Police has revealed a sophisticated fake SIM card racket under 'Operation Ghost SIM'. This announcement was made during a press conference led by Assam's Director General of Police (DGP) Harmit Singh and Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta. Investigations uncovered that these counterfeit SIM cards were being utilized to create WhatsApp accounts, which were sending one-time passwords (OTPs) to Pakistan. Although these accounts appeared to be domestic, they were actually operated from foreign locations and were allegedly involved in activities threatening national security.
Intelligence-Led Operation
This operation was initiated based on crucial intelligence provided by the Indian Army's Gajraj Military Intelligence Unit, which was later developed into actionable leads by the Special Task Force (STF) and Assam Police's Special Branch. A formal case was registered on May 14, 2025, at the STF police station (Case No. 02/2025), invoking relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Information Technology Act.
Coordinated Raids Across Multiple States
On May 16, police teams conducted simultaneous raids across five districts, including Dhubri and Morigaon in Assam, two districts in Rajasthan (Bharatpur and Alwar), and Sangareddy in Telangana. This operation resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, identified as follows:
Saddiq (47) - Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Arif Khan (20) - Alwar, Rajasthan
Sajid (21) - Alwar, Rajasthan
Akeek (25) - Bharatpur; arrested at Guwahati Airport
Arsad Khan (34) - Bharatpur; arrested at New Delhi Airport
Mofizul Islam (19) - Dhubri, Assam; arrested in Telangana
Zakariya Ahmed (24) - Dhubri, Assam