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CBI Arrests Vodafone Sales Manager in Probe of 21,000 Fraudulent SIMs

Investigators say the cards fed a bulk-SMS phishing network targeting Indians.

Overview

  • The arrest of Binu Vidhyadharan follows a CBI Operation Chakra‑V probe into an organised phishing network operating around DelhiNCR and Chandigarh.
  • The CBI alleges he enabled bulk issuance of roughly 21,000 SIM cards by filing KYC for dummy hires falsely shown as employees of Lord Mahavira Services India Pvt Ltd.
  • Investigators say copies of Aadhaar cards for these purported employees were recovered from his possession.
  • The SIMs were allegedly controlled through an online platform to blast messages offering fake loans and investments to steal personal and banking details.
  • Three others, including a telecom channel partner, were arrested in December and remain in judicial custody, and queries to Vodafone for comment went unanswered.