Archive · 6 Sep 2026
SIM Dealer Arrested in Mumbai Engineering Admission Fraud Case
Police in Mumbai arrested a young SIM-card seller named Abu Saif.
They say he gave fraudsters extra SIM cards without properly checking customer documents.
Police allege he used information from people who came to replace or obtain SIM cards.
The customers allegedly did not know that additional cards were being activated in their names.
Investigators say the cards were used in a fake engineering-admission scheme.
Police tracked the case by examining bank, petrol-pump and cash-payment records.
One victim was allegedly promised admission for her son to IIIT Hyderabad.
Saif is in jail and has applied for bail, while the alleged mastermind and nine others received bail.
Powai police arrested Abu Saif, 21, as the 11th accused in a fake engineering admission fraud case.
Police allege Saif supplied at least 300 SIM cards in 2026 without proper documentation, charging ₹1,000–₹2,000 per card.
Investigators identified 23 SIM cards allegedly issued without proper Know Your Customer verification.
Police allege customer photographs and personal details were used to activate additional SIM cards without consent.
A court ordered a bank to transfer ₹16.5 lakh to a Powai resident allegedly deceived over admission to IIIT Hyderabad.
- Who
- Powai police, SIM gallery sales executive Abu Saif, alleged mastermind Yuvraj Sharma and others connected to the admission fraud case.
- What
- Police arrested Saif for allegedly supplying unauthorised SIM cards that were used by fraudsters in a fake engineering-admission racket.
- When
- The case was registered on July 17; police said Saif supplied the cards in 2026, and the other accused were released on bail on Wednesday.
- Where
- Powai and Mumbai, with the SIM gallery located in Mumbai’s western suburbs; the alleged admission promise involved IIIT Hyderabad.
- Why
- Police allege SIM cards were activated using customers’ details without their knowledge and then used to facilitate fraud.
Police allegations
Accused’s legal position
SIM-card supply
Police allegations
Police allege Saif used customer information to activate extra SIM cards without their knowledge and supplied them to fraudsters.
Accused’s legal position
Saif is in jail and has applied for bail; the article does not report a detailed response from him or his lawyer.
Bail status
Police allegations
Police continue investigating the alleged admission-fraud network and its use of unauthorised SIM cards.
Accused’s legal position
The alleged mastermind Yuvraj Sharma and nine other accused were granted bail with ₹25,000 cash security each.
- Latest accused
- Abu Saif, 21, a Versova resident and SIM gallery sales executive
- Case position
- He was identified as the 11th accused in the fake engineering admission fraud case
- SIM cards allegedly supplied
- At least 300 in 2026, according to police
- Alleged price
- ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per SIM card
- Cards identified without proper KYC
- 23 SIM cards
- Victim compensation order
- A bank was ordered to transfer ₹16.5 lakh to a Powai resident
- Bail granted to other accused
- Yuvraj Sharma and nine others were released on ₹25,000 cash security each