Guwahati, April 20 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime infrastructure under Operation Chakra-V, arresting a key conspirator in Guwahati for his role in a large-scale SIM card fraud racket.

The accused, identified as Ubaid Ullah, was apprehended in the early hours of April 19 after remaining absconding since August 2025, an official statement said on Monday.

He is alleged to have played a pivotal role in procuring and distributing illegally issued SIM cards, which were subsequently used by cybercriminal networks to execute a range of financial and social-engineering scams.

According to investigators, the case centres on the misuse of Point of Sale (POS) agents who fraudulently issued SIM cards without proper verification, thereby enabling organised cybercrime.

These SIM cards, CBI said, were reportedly used in offences such as “digital arrest” scams, fraudulent loan schemes, and fake investment operations targeting unsuspecting victims across the country.

The CBI’s probe revealed that Ubaid Ullah functioned as a key aggregator in Guwahati, coordinating the supply chain of illicit SIM cards. He is suspected of having transferred nearly Rs 67 lakh through multiple bank accounts to POS agents in exchange for approximately 10,000 fraudulently obtained SIM cards. Evidence also points to the use of courier services to transport these SIM cards, indicating a well-organised and structured network.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the agency has conducted searches at around 45 locations across eight states, leading to the arrest of 10 POS agents allegedly involved in the racket.

CBI Officials believe this network forms a critical backbone of organised cybercrime by providing anonymous communication channels to fraudsters.

Operation Chakra-V is aimed at dismantling such enabling infrastructure that supports cybercriminal activities. The agency said the operation reflects a strategic shift towards targeting facilitators and logistics networks, rather than just end perpetrators.

The CBI reiterated its commitment to combating organised cybercrime through coordinated action, intelligence-driven operations, and inter-agency collaboration. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other key conspirators linked to the network.

–IANS

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