CBI arrests two company directors in SIM Box-based cyber fraud case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday (March 27, 2026) arrested two persons who had allegedly incorporated a company to procure bulk SIM cards and facilitate SIM Box operations for cyber frauds.

The accused named Mohammed Vival and Mohammed Dilshad were picked up from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. The case pertains to the misuse of bulk SIM cards deployed through a hardware device called SIM Box.

The agency earlier found that 108 SIM cards had been bought in the name of a company set up in January 2025, ostensibly for employee use. However, they were later flagged by citizens on the National Cyber Reporting and Chakshu portals for their use in fraudulent activities, including impersonation of law enforcement agencies and government officials.

“Victims reported being deceived into transferring money following such calls, which typically serve as the initial step in cyber fraud schemes. Following extensive technical analysis and coordinated field operations, two key accused were apprehended from Meerut,” the CBI said, adding that they were directors of the company.

The agency conducted searches at six locations in Meerut and Noida, including the premises linked to the accused persons, their associates involved in setting up SIM Box infrastructure, the zonal office of a telecom service provider, and an employee of a private entity responsible for verification processes related to bulk SIM issuance.

“During the searches, investigators seized various electronic devices, including laptops, hard disks, and mobile phones, along with incriminating documents and SIM cards, including one foreign (Nepal) SIM card,” said the agency.