Kolkata Police Dismantle Networks Using Misused Customer Biometrics

How the racket operated

The case study describes how individuals associated with telecom Point of Sale services allegedly issued SIM cards outside authorised premises. Customers’ identity documents and biometric data were collected under the pretext of legitimate mobile connections, then misused to activate additional SIM cards without consent.

Three operational cases

The article records three investigations involving large numbers of SIM cards, biometric devices, mobile phones and other digital equipment. In one case, the SIM cards were linked to cyber-fraud transactions exceeding ?10 crore. Arrests and seizures were reported across the operations.

Why the investigation matters

Telecom records and technical analysis helped investigators identify the roles of people involved and trace SIM distribution across India and, in some instances, abroad. The feature stresses the need to protect personal documents and biometric information and to strengthen technical investigation against organised cybercrime.