Cybercrime – Delhi Police Arrest Brothers in SIM Swap Fraud Case
Cybercrime – The Delhi Police have taken two brothers into custody for allegedly orchestrating a SIM swap fraud that led to unauthorized credit card transactions worth over Rs 48,000. Officials confirmed the arrests on Friday, stating that the suspects are accused of illegally transferring a woman’s mobile number and exploiting her financial details.
How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
According to investigators, the incident dates back to January when the complainant, Vandana Gupta, was travelling from Kanpur to Delhi with her son. During the journey, they reportedly struck up a conversation with a man and a woman who introduced themselves as Sachin Gupta and his sister-in-law.
Police said the pair gradually gained the trust of the mother and son. At one point, they requested to use their mobile phones, citing an urgent need to make calls. The request appeared harmless at the time, and the phones were handed over briefly.
However, the following day, both mobile numbers suddenly stopped functioning. Soon after, the complainant discovered three transactions on her credit card that she had not authorised. The purchases, carried out on January 30, amounted to more than Rs 48,000.
Accused Identified and Arrested
The suspects have been identified as 26-year-old Sachin Kumar Gupta and his younger brother, 23-year-old Nitin Kumar Gupta. Both are residents of Nathupura in north Delhi.
Police officials stated that Sachin had discontinued his college education and was working in the taxi service sector. His brother Nitin, a graduate, was employed at a motorcycle showroom at the time of the alleged offence.
Investigators believe the two worked together to carry out the scheme, using a fraudulent SIM card porting method to gain control of the victim’s mobile number.
SIM Swap Linked to Bank Accounts
During the course of the investigation, officers found that the victim’s mobile numbers had been illegally ported to new SIM cards issued in Nitin’s name. This SIM swap enabled the accused to intercept one-time passwords and banking alerts, allowing them to complete the credit card transactions without the victim’s knowledge.
The financial trail reportedly led investigators to bank accounts connected to the brothers. Based on technical evidence and transaction records, police were able to trace the alleged misuse of funds back to the accused.
Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine whether the duo may have targeted others using a similar method. Police are also examining digital records and bank statements to identify additional transactions, if any.
Rising Concerns Over SIM Porting Fraud
Officials noted that SIM swap fraud has emerged as a growing concern in recent years. In such cases, criminals obtain control of a victim’s mobile number by transferring it to a new SIM card, often without the victim’s immediate knowledge. Once access is secured, they can intercept authentication codes and reset banking credentials.
Cybercrime experts advise mobile users to remain cautious when sharing personal information or handing over their phones to strangers. Immediate action, including contacting the telecom service provider and bank, is recommended if a mobile number stops working unexpectedly.
The Delhi Police have urged residents to report suspicious activity promptly to prevent financial losses and assist in timely investigation.
Further details in the case are expected as the probe continues.