Karnataka Police Detect Two More Illegal SIM Farm Sites in Tamil Nadu

Karnataka Police have detected two more illegal SIM farm sites in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur districts and seized 10 eSIM-enabled SIM Box devices as part of an ongoing investigation into an interstate network, officials said on Wednesday.

The breakthrough was made by the Cyber Command Unit during further investigation into an illegal SIM Box network linked to a case registered at Whitefield Police Station in Bengaluru. Investigators had earlier identified two sites at Kadugodi and Pattandur Agrahara in Bengaluru, where SIM Box equipment was allegedly being operated. Ten SIM Box devices were seized from these locations, police said.

Subsequent analysis of the seized equipment, telecommunications records and other digital evidence generated leads pointing to operations in Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur. The findings were shared with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), following which joint field operations led to the detection of the two additional sites and seizure of another 10 devices.

Police said the investigation aims to establish the network’s complete operational chain, including the procurement and deployment of SIM Box devices, the use of SIM cards and eSIM profiles, the telecommunications infrastructure involved, and the individuals facilitating or controlling the operations.

The Cyber Command Unit is also working to establish links between the Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu locations, identify suspected overseas handlers and local facilitators, and trace any additional sites or infrastructure connected to the network.The development follows the recent arrest of four people allegedly involved in a cybercrime network operating from two locations in Bengaluru. The network was suspected to have links to digital arrest scams, sextortion and other financial frauds.

SIM Boxes house multiple SIM cards and route calls and messages through telecom networks, allowing criminals to mask the origin of communications and potentially facilitate large-scale fraud. SIM farm sites use multiple SIM cards and electronic devices to operate numerous mobile numbers simultaneously, often for cybercrime and illegal telecommunications activities.

The investigation is continuing, officials said.