The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a key conspirator in Guwahati as part of Operation Chakra-V — its nationwide crackdown on organised cybercrime — targeting a network that allegedly supplied fraudulently obtained SIM cards to criminals running fake digital arrests, loan scams, and investment frauds.
The arrest was made in the early hours of April 19, 2026, after the accused had been absconding since August 2025.
The accused, whose name has not been disclosed in the CBI's communiqué, was operating as an aggregator of illegally issued SIM cards in Guwahati — functioning as a key link in the supply chain between fraudulent Point of Sale agents and cybercriminals.
Investigators found that he had transferred approximately Rs 67 lakh through multiple bank accounts to POS agents in exchange for around 10,000 illegally procured SIM cards. Evidence of courier transactions used to receive the SIM cards was also uncovered during the investigation.
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Operation Chakra-V is specifically aimed at dismantling the infrastructure that enables organised cybercrime across India — focusing on the networks that supply fraudulent SIM cards, bank accounts, and other tools used to conduct large-scale digital fraud.
As part of the operation, the CBI conducted searches at approximately 45 locations across eight states, leading to the arrest of 10 accused POS agents involved in the issuance of fake or illegally procured SIM cards, in addition to the Guwahati arrest.
The CBI stated that its investigation into the involvement of other key conspirators in the network is continuing.
The agency said the operation reflects its commitment to combating organised cybercrime by targeting its enabling infrastructure, and that it would continue coordinating with other agencies and using advanced intelligence techniques to bring perpetrators to justice.