The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a key conspirator linked to a large cyber fraud network as part of its ongoing nationwide drive under Operation Chakra-V. Officials confirmed the development on April 20, saying the arrest is a significant step in cracking down on organised cybercrime.
The accused was arrested from Guwahati in the early hours of April 19. He had been on the run since August 2025 and was being tracked for his alleged role in arranging and supplying illegally obtained SIM cards used in various cyber frauds.
According to officials, the arrest is part of Operation Chakra-V, an initiative launched to break the backbone of cybercrime networks across the country. The investigation has focused on the role of Point of Sale (POS) agents who are suspected of issuing SIM cards using fake or forged documents. These SIM cards were then used by fraudsters to carry out crimes such as fake digital arrests, loan scams and online investment fraud.
During the course of the investigation, the agency carried out searches at nearly 45 locations across eight states. These searches led to the arrest of 10 POS agents who are believed to be directly involved in issuing such SIM cards illegally.
Officials said the accused arrested in Guwahati played an important role in the network. He acted as an aggregator, helping in collecting and supplying large numbers of SIM cards to different cybercriminal groups. Initial findings suggest that he transferred around Rs 67 lakh through multiple bank accounts to POS agents to procure nearly 10,000 SIM cards.
Investigators have also found evidence that courier services were used to transport these SIM cards from one place to another, pointing to a well-organised system designed to avoid detection. The use of multiple bank accounts and different channels of delivery indicates that the network was carefully planned and operated over a long period.
The agency said such operations are aimed at targeting not just the individuals committing fraud but also the support system that makes these crimes possible. By focusing on the supply chain of SIM cards, officials believe they can disrupt the functioning of cybercriminal groups at a deeper level.