Overview

• The SIM smuggling racket was exposed after CISF intercepted Sunil Rawat at IGI Airport on February 15 carrying 398 active SIM cards intended for Dubai.
• Delhi Police arrested five individuals from Madhya Pradesh who fraudulently procured SIM cards by misleading locals with offers of free data and calls.
• The SIM cards were sold for ₹500 each and used to create accounts for rigging online gaming applications, generating profits through fraudulent means.
• The operation is linked to Faisal, a Dubai-based suspect who remains at large and is believed to be the network's kingpin.
• Authorities have highlighted the national security risks posed by the use of Indian SIM cards in cross-border cyber operations for masking identities and enabling fraud.