Telecom dept snaps 1.88-lakh fake connections in Punjab, Chandigarh, Panchkula

In a major crackdown on cybercrime involving the use of fake SIM cards for conning gullible individuals, the telecom service providers (TSPs) in the Punjab License Service Area (LSA) have disconnected a total of 188,460 fraudulent SIMs operational in Punjab and surrounding areas.

These SIMs were suspected to have been used for operating fake banking, trade and other financial transaction scams. Besides, many such SIM cards were being operated in other states using messaging platforms such as WhatsApp for duping people.

In a communique, field office of Department Of Telecom said that all the fraudulent point of sale (POSs) involved in such fraudulent activation of SIM cards have been blacklisted by the telecom service provider (TSPs) in their network and police complaints are filed against the fraudulent POS and subscribers for using fake IDs while obtaining SIM cards.