Mangaluru: Two arrested with 86 SIM cards procured for cyber fraudsters abroad

Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Police arrested two individuals allegedly involved in procuring SIM cards for cyber fraudsters operating abroad.

The arrested individuals, Shamadh Muhammad Samar (26) and Muhammad Azeem (19), were found with 86 Airtel SIM cards, two mobile phones, a Swift car, and assets worth Rs. 5,49,300, the police said.

Shamadh, a BBA student from Belthangady, and Azeem, a resident of Mangaluru, allegedly purchased the SIM cards from friends and acquaintances by offering them small amounts of money. They had been operating since January and had collected and supplied 400 to 500 SIM cards to their handlers, Mustafa and Sajid, who are believed to be connected to cyber fraud networks in Dubai and other countries, police added.

The police suspect that the accused might have links to a similar case handled by Dharmasthala Police, where five individuals were arrested in February with 42 SIM cards.

Further investigations are underway.