NEW DELHI/PATNA – In a significant move against organized cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over a complex investigation into a massive illegal “SIM Box” operation based in Supaul, Bihar, near the Indo-Nepal border. The syndicate is accused of illegally routing international VoIP calls into local Indian voice traffic, facilitating wide-scale cyber fraud and posing a severe threat to national security.
The case was officially re-registered by the CBI’s Cyber Crime Branch in New Delhi on March 18, 2026, as RC2332026E0004, following a formal request and consent from the Bihar state government.
The Investigation: From Suspicious Pings to a High-Tech Hub
The probe began after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and its Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) flagged extreme calling patterns originating from Ward No. 06, Gauspur village. Analysis revealed that over 51,000 calls were funneled through a single illegal setup in just three days, targeting citizens across India.
The initial raid, conducted by the Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU), uncovered a sophisticated, industrial-grade cyber setup. Key evidence seized from the residence of the primary suspect, Harshit Mishra, includes:
- Active SIM Boxes: Eight 32-slot SIM Box devices found in live operation.
- Massive SIM Cache: More than 1,300 SIM cards, ranging from active and used to brand-new.
- Infrastructure: Netgear power units, Jio Air Fiber antennas, multiple routers, and high-speed internet equipment.
- Administrative Tools: Laptops, UV sterilizers, biometric scanners, and even a note-counting machine.
Modus Operandi: Stolen Identities and Fake Exchanges
The investigation suggests a deep-rooted conspiracy involving data theft and corrupt retail points. A Common Service Centre (CSC) operator, Mohd. Sultan, allegedly stole face recognition and biometric data from innocent citizens visiting his center.
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This stolen data was then used, in collusion with various “Points of Sale” (POS) in Vaishali district, to activate hundreds of fraudulent SIM cards. These cards were then shipped to the Supaul facility to power the SIM Box exchange, allowing international scammers to appear as local Indian callers. These callers frequently impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) or India Post to execute “Digital Arrest” and financial refund scams.
A Wider Web of Crime
Evidence found during the raid indicates that the syndicate was already under the radar of other state police departments. Authorities recovered notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Police and Maharashtra Police regarding previous cybercrime cases linked to the same suspects. Furthermore, the setup was found to be using sophisticated Quectel brand hardware, a hallmark of organized international cyber slavery and human trafficking operations previously identified in Southeast Asia.
Legal Action and Accused
The CBI has named 19 primary accused individuals and entities, including:
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- Harshit Mishra: The alleged onsite operator in Supaul.
- Mohd. Sultan: The CSC operator accused of biometric data theft.
- POS Operators: Several retail outlets in Vaishali, including Arjun Pratinidhi, Calcutta Mobile, and Kiran Mobile, for sourcing fake SIMs.
The suspects face a litany of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically Section 111 (Organized Crime) and Section 318(4) (Cheating), along with multiple violations of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The investigation is currently being spearheaded by Raj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CBI Cyber Crime Branch, New Delhi.
