SIM-Swap Scam in Delhi Leads to Arrests After Unauthorized Credit Card Transactions
In a concerning case of cybercrime, a SIM-swapping fraud has been uncovered in Rohini, Delhi, where a woman's mobile number was illicitly ported, facilitating unauthorized credit card transactions. The Delhi Police have apprehended two individuals in connection with this sophisticated scam.
Details of the Fraudulent Incident
The victim, a resident of Sector-6 in Rohini, filed a complaint after discovering three unauthorized transactions on her credit card on January 30. The amounts involved were Rs 2,627, Rs 20,550, and Rs 25,687. Subsequently, she realized that both her mobile number and her son's number had been deactivated a few days prior, indicating a deliberate act of fraud.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to police reports, the fraud commenced on January 22 while the woman was traveling back to Delhi from Kanpur after attending a religious function. During the journey, she and her son encountered a man who introduced himself as Sachin Gupta from Burari, accompanied by a young woman posing as his sister-in-law. The duo allegedly gained the victims' trust and briefly borrowed their phones under the pretext of making a call.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Rajeev Ranjan explained: "The accused exploited this brief access to initiate SIM-porting requests, obtain Unique Porting Codes (UPC), and delete confirmation messages. By January 24, two new SIM cards linked to the victims' numbers were issued in another name after being ported to a different telecom operator."
Execution of Financial Theft
Once the SIM cards were activated, the fraudsters accessed banking and financial applications associated with the mobile number. The number was registered with a credit card on an app that required OTP-based authentication for transactions. The accused first attempted a minor payment of Rs 2,627 to test the waters, followed by transferring Rs 20,550 to one bank account and Rs 25,687 to another.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Through meticulous technical analysis and tracking of the money trail, the cyber police successfully identified and arrested the perpetrators. The arrested individuals are Sachin Kumar Gupta, aged 26, and his brother Nitin Kumar Gupta, aged 23, both residents of Nathupura in Burari. Authorities recovered a mobile phone and an ATM card used in the commission of the crime. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover any additional details or accomplices involved in this fraudulent scheme.
Broader Implications and Awareness
This incident highlights the growing threat of SIM-swapping fraud, where criminals gain control of victims' mobile numbers to bypass security measures and commit financial theft. It serves as a stark reminder for individuals to exercise caution when sharing personal devices or information, especially in unfamiliar situations. The Delhi Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to mobile number porting or unauthorized transactions promptly.
