Bengal STF Arrests Two for Alleged OTP Trafficking to Pakistan for Espionage
In a significant counter-intelligence operation, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Bengal Police has arrested two individuals in Murshidabad district. The men are accused of a sophisticated scheme involving the transmission of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian SIM cards to handlers in Pakistan. This illicit activity allegedly facilitated the remote activation of these SIMs for purposes suspected to include espionage and cross-border cybercrime.
Details of the Arrests and Investigation
The first arrest was made on Saturday night near Behrampore. The accused, identified as Suman Sheikh, a resident of Gudhia Dargatala who had been working in Pune, was taken into custody. He was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Bidhannagar on Sunday, where he was remanded to 14 days of police custody. The second accused, Sheikh Juhab from Gudhia village, was arrested earlier on February 10 and remains in police custody.
During the arrests, law enforcement officials recovered several mobile phones and SIM cards from the duo. The investigation has now expanded to probe potential terror links and verify the nationality of the accused. Police sources indicate a strong belief that at least one of the individuals might be a Bangladeshi national, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Modus Operandi and Suspected Espionage Network
Investigators have detailed a concerning pattern of operations. The two accused allegedly procured Indian SIM cards and opened corresponding WhatsApp accounts. They would then forward the crucial number verification OTPs to their contacts in Pakistan via various social media platforms. Preliminary findings suggest this OTP trafficking occurred at least seven times, with the accused receiving substantial monetary compensation deposited into their bank accounts.
The investigation has revealed a disturbing potential connection to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It is suspected that operatives linked to the ISI accessed these activated SIM cards, possibly using the associated WhatsApp accounts to gather sensitive information about important individuals within India. Authorities are meticulously examining whether any significant data or documents were compromised or smuggled out of the country through this channel.
Financial Trail and Recruitment
The financial aspect of the operation points to the use of cryptocurrency. Police allege that Suman Sheikh received large payments in cryptocurrency from Pakistani handlers. He would then allegedly convert these digital assets into cash, reinvesting the funds to digitally purchase more SIM cards from his associate, Sheikh Juhab. This created a self-sustaining cycle for their illegal activities.
The recruitment into this network appears to have occurred while Suman was working in Pune. He reportedly came into contact with an individual who informed him of a high demand for Indian SIM cards in Pakistan. This contact allegedly instructed him to procure SIMs within India and forward the activation OTPs to designated Pakistani numbers.
Ongoing Probe and Official Statement
The investigation remains active and expansive. Authorities are working to uncover the full extent of the illegal activities, identify all associates within the network, and assess the precise nature of the information that may have been targeted or leaked. "The investigation is continuing to unearth the extent of their illegal activities and associates," stated SP (Operations) Indrajit Sarkar, underscoring the ongoing efforts to dismantle the operation.
This case highlights the evolving threats in the digital age, where simple OTPs can become tools for potential national security breaches and international cybercrime, prompting heightened vigilance from law enforcement agencies.
