Pre-activated SIM card racket; Gang had created fake WhatsApp account using LS Speaker Om Birla’s pic

A day after the cyber cell of Odisha Crime Branch busted a pre-activated SIM card racket, more startling revelations regarding the extent of fraud have now emerged.

As per sources, the gang had created a WhatsApp account using a BSNL mobile number. They had reportedly used the photograph of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and were cheating people by asking them money. Delhi Police had initially flagged the number and alerted Odisha Crime Branch.

Subsequently, the Cyber Cell of Crime Branch found that the number was used consecutively in three different mobiles in Talabarkot village in Dhenkanal District. Later, the officials managed to nab three persons, including Sai Prakash Das and Avinash Nayak, who were dealing with the sale and activation of SIMs of different service providers.

The mastermind of the gang- Dushmanta Sahu of Nadiali village was also arrested. Around 19641 pre-activated SIM cards, Rs 14 lakh cash, 48 mobile phones, laptop, xerox copies of several photo identity cards and other documents were seized during the raid in Dhenkanal.

Dushmanat had joined a group “Buyer Seller of OTP” through Facebook. The group used to receive pre-actiavated mobile numbers to open fake accounts/ wallets in several online shopping and gaming Apps. The pre-activated SIM cards were used to open fake WhatsApp account by fraudsters.

“The accused Dushmant received the pre-activated SIMs of different service providers like BSNL, JIO, Vodafone, Airtel from the two other accused. He then used to share those pre-activated SIM numbers among the group “Buyer Seller of OTP” group and received Rs. 400 per SIM and OTP,” said CB ADG, Sanjeeb Panda.