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.
