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The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has busted an illegal SIM box telecommunications network operating in Chennai’s Saidapet area and arrested two individuals in connection with the setup. Preliminary investigations have linked the network to 301 cybercrime complaints registered across the country, including 52 cases in Tamil Nadu. In a joint operation with the Department of Telecommunications, officials seized 10 SIM boxes, 182 SIM cards, two CPUs, and two servers. Investigators suspect the setup was used to route fraudulent calls, impersonate government officials, and execute cyber fraud.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Srinivasan, who worked as a manager, and Sanjay, an information technology technician. Both are accused of operating unauthorized telecommunications equipment without mandatory regulatory approvals.
Joint Raid Follows Telecom Intelligence
The action followed specific intelligence shared with the Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing by the Tamil Nadu Licensed Service Area unit of the Department of Telecommunications. After a complaint was filed seeking a joint surprise inspection, officials raided Bali Towers on Abdul Razak First Street in Saidapet. The premises housed M/s Fort Management Services on the third and fourth floors, while the company’s registered office is located on Potter Street in Saidapet.
During the inspection, authorities uncovered an unauthorized telecom setup capable of operating multiple SIM cards simultaneously without the required licenses or permissions. The joint team seized 10 SIM boxes in total, comprising units with 64 SIM slots, seven boxes with 32 slots each, and one damaged device. Two CPUs, two servers, and 182 SIM cards were also confiscated for forensic examination to trace the mobile numbers and calling networks involved.
Links to 301 National Cybercrime Complaints
Initial verification connected the seized hardware and SIM cards to 301 complaints lodged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal from various states, with 52 originating in Tamil Nadu. Officials noted that further analysis is underway to confirm the exact role of the network and the specific involvement of each suspect across these cases.
A SIM box allows multiple SIM cards to run concurrently and routes internet-based calls through local mobile networks so they appear as standard domestic calls. When operated illegally, the technology masks the caller’s true identity and location, helping fraudsters bypass standard telecom tracking systems. Criminals frequently misuse such setups to pose as government officers, police personnel, or bank representatives to carry out digital arrest scams, fake account checks, and fraudulent KYC update calls.
Investigation Expands Beyond Chennai
Cyber Crime Wing officials stated that the investigation remains ongoing to trace the procurement sources of the seized SIM cards and identify other individuals or entities linked to the operation. Investigators are also working to determine whether the facility was limited to illegal call routing or directly facilitated financial fraud across multiple states.
Given the nationwide spread of the 301 linked complaints, the inquiry is expected to extend beyond Chennai. Authorities are assessing the total number of victims targeted through the network and tracking the bank accounts and channels used to move the defrauded funds. Collecting digital evidence from the confiscated servers and CPUs remains the primary focus as police map the full scale of the operation.
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