Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Odisha Police Bust Alleged Fake SIM Racket, Arrest Three
Police in Odisha say they arrested three people over an alleged fake SIM card business.
The arrests followed an investigation by cyber police in Sambalpur.
Police allege the group used customers’ identity documents to make several SIM cards for one phone number.
One SIM card was given to the customer, while extra cards were allegedly kept and sold.
Investigators say some of those cards may have been used in cybercrimes in Jamtara, Jharkhand.
Officers seized phones, SIM cards, bank records, documents, and other items.
They are trying to find more people connected to the alleged network.
They are also checking how much money was made and where the SIM cards went.
Sambalpur cyber police arrested Suraj Bag, Malati Oram alias Mala, and Papu alias Sheikh Parvez.
Police allege the suspects used customers’ identity documents to create multiple SIM cards linked to one number.
The accused allegedly gave one SIM card to customers and retained additional cards for resale.
Some retained SIM cards were allegedly sold for cybercrime use in Jamtala, Jharkhand.
Police seized phones, active and unused Airtel SIM cards, financial records, identity documents, and other materials.
- Who
- Sambalpur cyber police arrested Suraj Bag, Malati Oram alias Mala, and Papu alias Sheikh Parvez.
- What
- Police allege the three manufactured and sold SIM cards prepared using customers’ identity documents.
- When
- The arrests were reported on September 24; police said the related case was registered on September 22, 2026.
- Where
- Sambalpur district, Odisha, with suspected links to Jamtara in Jharkhand.
- Why
- Police allege extra SIM cards were retained and sold for use in cybercrimes, with the proceeds shared among those involved.
- Arrests
- Three people
- Accused
- Suraj Bag, Malati Oram alias Mala, and Papu alias Sheikh Parvez
- Seized SIM cards
- Four active SIM cards and 120 sealed unused Airtel SIM cards
- Other seized items
- Four mobile phones, bank passbooks, a cheque book, an Aadhaar card, affidavits, and a house rental agreement
- Additional materials
- A PhonePe QR code scanner, 10 Airtel pamphlets, and four Airtel 5G Plus signboards
- Suspected connection
- Some SIM cards were allegedly used in cybercrimes in Jamtara, Jharkhand
- Investigation status
- Police are identifying other participants, tracing SIM-card recipients, and examining the financial trail
