CHANDIGARH: DECEMBER 15: IN a decisive blow to India’s cybercrime infrastructure, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a large-scale “phishing SMS factory” that was flooding mobile users across the country with fraudulent messages linked to digital arrest scams, fake loans and bogus investment schemes.
Three accused have been arrested under Operation Chakra-V, which targets the backbone of organised cyber fraud networks.
The CBI uncovered the operation after analysing the surge of fake SMSes that routinely trigger serious financial fraud.
The probe led investigators to an organised cyber gang operating from the NCR including Gurgaon, Delhi and Chandigarh region, which was providing bulk SMS services to cybercriminals.
Investigators found that even foreign cyber fraudsters were using this India-based infrastructure to cheat Indian citizens.
Preliminary findings reveal that around 21,000 SIM cards were procured in blatant violation of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) norms.
These SIMs were remotely controlled through an online platform to blast bulk phishing messages promising fake loans, lucrative investments and other financial bait, with the sole aim of stealing personal and banking details of unsuspecting victims.
Acting on inputs from the DoT, the Sanchar Saathi portal and other intelligence sources, the CBI registered a case against M/s Lord Mahavir Services India Private Limited, which was allegedly running the illegal system that enabled fraudsters to send massive volumes of deceptive SMSes nationwide.
Searches were conducted at multiple locations in Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh, where the CBI unearthed a fully functional phishing set-up.
The seized infrastructure included servers, communication equipment, USB hubs, dongles and thousands of SIM cards. Investigators found that the system was capable of pushing out millions of fraudulent messages every day.
The agency has seized crucial digital evidence, unaccounted cash and cryptocurrency.
Early evidence also points to the involvement of certain telecom companies’ channel partners and employees who allegedly facilitated the illegal supply of SIM cards.
So far, three persons have been arrested, with further action underway.
The operation underlines the CBI’s firm resolve to strike at the technological spine of organised cybercrime.
With sharper intelligence, advanced analytics and close coordination with other agencies, the CBI has vowed to continue its crackdown on those exploiting technology to loot the public and bring every offender to justice.
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