500 Fraud Sale SIM Cards Uncovered by DoT Hyderabad

500 Fraud Sale SIM Cards Uncovered by DoT Hyderabad

The Hyderabad unit of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has uncovered a major telecom fraud involving the unauthorized sale of 500 Vodafone Idea (Vi) SIM cards. According to DoT, a Point of Sale (POS) agent was found involved in illegally distributing these SIMs, which were supplied to unregistered and illegal telemarketers. The authenticity of documents submitted for procuring these SIMs is currently under verification.   

Investigations revealed that these SIMs were being used in SIM boxes to send bulk SMS messages, often linked to fraudulent activities. In a statement, DoT confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the suspected customers and the POS agent. Additionally, authorities seized two 512-slot SIM boxes and 130 SIM cards. The POS agent is currently absconding, and further investigation is underway to trace the source of these illegally procured SIMs. The operation was conducted with the active support of Telangana Police.   

Under the leadership of Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, DoT has intensified its efforts to combat cyber fraud and digital scams. To further this objective, the Intelligence Unit (DIU) is being strengthened at both the DoT headquarters and its field units. The Hyderabad DoT team is also analyzing data to identify and curb the misuse of telecom resources for fraudulent purposes.   

The joint operation between DoT and Telangana Police resulted in the recovery of two SIM boxes, which are often exploited by fraudsters for illegal activities such as social engineering, financial fraud, and unsolicited commercial communication (UCC). These fraudulent operations not only cause financial losses to telecom companies and the government but also pose risks to national security, as such methods have been exploited by anti-national elements in the past. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TRAI Recommends Auction of 5G mmWave Spectrum
5G/6G Regulatory

TRAI Recommends Auction of 5G mmWave Spectrum

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reiterated to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that spectrum bands including 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz should be put up for auction. Additionally, TRAI will initiate a consultation process to provide […]

Read More
TDSAT Halts TRAI’s Penalty Order Against Jio, Airtel, and Vi Report
Regulatory

TDSAT Halts TRAI’s Penalty Order Against Jio, Airtel, and Vi: Report

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has granted relief to private telecom operators by staying the ₹141 crore penalty imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for failing to curb spam communications. The penalty was levied on major private telcos, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), for their […]

Read More
Mobile Data in India is World Cheapest, Says DoT
Regulatory Tariff Plans

Mobile Data in India is World Cheapest, Says DoT

India continues to lead in offering some of the world’s cheapest mobile data, driving its digital revolution, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) stated in a post on X on January 27, 2025. The department credited affordable handsets, widespread internet penetration, and low data costs for making mobile phones accessible to nearly every citizen.  Bharat 🇮🇳 […]

Read More