New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) In a significant operation against organized cybercrime, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell has dismantled a crucial part of an international “SIM Box” fraud syndicate, leading to the arrest of two individuals in East Delhi, as reported by officials on Friday.

The arrested suspects have been named as Vaibhav Raj (29) and Anil Kumar (28), who both reside in Gharoli Extension, Delhi.

Authorities stated that the syndicate was being managed with connections to operatives based in Cambodia and other countries in Southeast Asia. This network was engaged in impersonating law enforcement officials to execute “digital arrest” scams and fraudulent investment schemes aimed at swindling unsuspecting individuals.

The breakthrough occurred during 'Operation CyHawk 4.0,' executed on April 6 and 7, when investigators scrutinized cyber fraud trends on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. A suspicious SIM Box/GSM gateway was traced to a rented apartment on the sixth floor of a building in GD Colony, Mayur Vihar Phase-III.

This illegal installation was being utilized to route international VoIP calls through Indian mobile networks, enabling fraudsters based abroad to reach victims using local phone numbers, thus avoiding detection.

During the raid, law enforcement seized one operational 32-slot SIM Box, over 350 SIM cards, numerous mobile devices, a Lenovo laptop, internet routers, and bank-related documents. Several courier envelopes from logistics companies were also confiscated, suggesting a consistent supply chain for SIM cards and electronic devices.

Investigations indicated that Vaibhav Raj was responsible for arranging the internet connection, operating the SIM Box and laptop, and granting remote access to overseas fraudsters via applications such as AnyDesk. He also routinely replaced SIM cards under instructions from handlers.

Anil Kumar, conversely, rented the location and oversaw logistics, financial transactions, and delivery coordination. The police revealed that the pair also facilitated mule bank accounts that were used to layer and siphon off defrauded funds.

The syndicate's method involved impersonating officials from agencies like the CBI, police, and Customs. Victims were misled into believing that multiple FIRs had been filed against them and were threatened with arrest. They were coerced into transferring funds into purported “RBI-mandated accounts” under the guise of verification, with promises of refunds that never materialized.

Authorities stated that at least three cases have already been tied to a bank account linked to the operation.

Officials characterized the operation as part of a broader, well-organized transnational cybercrime network that poses a grave threat to public safety and telecom infrastructure.

Further investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the syndicate, trace the flow of illicit funds, and uncover the full extent of its international connections.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO), Vinit Kumar, reaffirmed the Delhi Police’s uncompromising stance against cybercrime and urged the public to remain alert to “digital arrest” scams and promptly report any suspicious calls.