NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over a major investigation into a complex cybercrime network involved in illegal VOIP call routing, SIM box fraud, and large-scale forgery.
The agency’s Cyber Crime Branch registered the Regular Case (RC2332026E0002) on January 9, 2026, following a notification from the Central Government and the consent of the Bihar State Government.
Transfer from Bihar Economic Offences Unit
The case was originally registered on July 30, 2025, as Case No. 17/2025 at the Economic Offences Police Station (EOPS) in Bihar. Given the technical complexity and interstate ramifications of the crimes, the investigation was transferred to the CBI’s specialized cyber unit for a deeper probe.
The Scope of the Cyber Racket
According to the FIR, the investigation targets a sophisticated criminal operation involved in:
- Illegal VOIP Routing: Routing international Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls illegally through SIM boxes, bypassing legal international gateways.
- SIM Box Fraud: Utilizing SIM boxes packed with fake SIM cards to facilitate fraudulent communications.
- Document Forgery: Issuing SIM cards by preparing and using forged documents, often using the identities of unsuspecting individuals.
- Cyber Fraud: Conducting various forms of cyber-enabled financial fraud using the aforementioned illegal infrastructure.
Legal Framework and Charges
The CBI has invoked a comprehensive set of legal provisions to prosecute the offenders:
More Read
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Sections including 318(4) (Cheating), 319(2) (Cheating by personation), 336(3) (Forgery), 340(2) (Using forged documents), and 61(2) (Criminal Conspiracy).
- Information Technology Act, 2000: Sections 66, 66C (Identity theft), 66D (Cheating by personation using computer resource), and 72.
- Telecommunications Act, 2023: Sections 42(1), 42(2), 42(3), and 42(6) relating to the unauthorized use of telecommunication equipment and services.
Current Investigation Status
The CBI is now analyzing technical data to identify the masterminds behind the operation and the extent of the financial losses caused by the racket. The investigation will also look into the supply chain of the illegal SIM boxes and the source of the forged documents used to activate thousands of fake SIM cards.
The transfer of the case was formalized through a notification signed by Satyam Srivastava, Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
