The operation targets Point of Sale (PoS) agents of telecom operators who are allegedly working in collusion with cybercriminals and unidentified telecom company executives to issue SIM cards used in a range of cyber offences
Five accused were arrested from four states for allegedly conspiring to violate KYC norms in order to sell SIM cards without proper authorisation. Representational pic
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches at 42 locations across eight Indian states and arrested five people as part of its ongoing Operation Chakra-V — a coordinated crackdown on transnational organised cybercrime, including cases of ‘digital arrests’.
The operation targets Point of Sale (PoS) agents of telecom operators who are allegedly working in collusion with cybercriminals and unidentified telecom company executives to issue SIM cards used in a range of cyber offences, including digital arrests, impersonation scams, fraudulent investment schemes, UPI frauds and fake advertisements.
As part of a concerted effort to disrupt the sale and misuse of unauthorised SIM cards, the central agency searched the premises of 38 PoS agents across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The agency said it seized incriminating evidence including mobile phones, electronic devices, KYC document copies and details of individuals involved in the distribution network. Movable assets suspected to have been acquired through the proceeds of cybercrime were also confiscated.
Five accused were arrested from four different states for allegedly conspiring to violate Know Your Customer (KYC) norms in order to sell SIM cards without proper authorisation.
The CBI stated that the operation reflects the Government of India’s firm commitment to tackling cybercrime and dismantling the infrastructure that enables such offences.
Further probe is underway.
CBI arrests Income Tax Commissioner in Rs 70-lakh bribery case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Income Tax (Exemption) Commissioner from Hyderabad for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 70 lakh to settle a tax appeal in favour of a real estate giant, officials said on Saturday.
Jeevan Lal Lavidiya, a 2004-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, was taken into custody alongside four others – Viral Kantilal Mehta, Deputy General Manager (Taxation) of the conglomerate; Sairam Palisetty; Natta Veera Naga Sri Ram Gopal; and Sajida Majhar Hussain Shah.
According to the central agency, Shah was allegedly tasked with delivering the bribe to a middleman in Mumbai on behalf of Lavidiya, who also held additional charge as Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals Unit-8 and Unit-7) in the Office of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Hyderabad.
In a statement, the multinational corporation said that the alleged conduct was not with the knowledge of the group, “nor was it sanctioned by it”. “In fact, this goes against the very values and policies that the group upholds in its business operations," it said.
The company added that it is fully committed to cooperating with authorities during the investigation.
It also stated that it has launched an internal enquiry into the alleged conduct and will take the necessary steps based on the outcome of the investigation.
(With PTI inputs)
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