They were arrested from their homes in Dakshineswar and Sodepur (on the northern fringes of Kolkata). Both were involved in a SIM-swapping case where the victim had lost Rs 72.42 lakh,” the police told the publication.
The complainant, who owns a business in Posta in West Bengal, had reported in December 2022 that he had lost Rs 72.42 lakh through six unauthorized transactions. Upon investigation, the police discovered that the fraudsters had used SIM-swapping to obtain the victim's SIM card and withdraw the funds without his knowledge.
“This modus operandi is called SIM swapping. First, the fraudsters forge the identity documents of their target. Then they report the loss of a SIM card of that person to a police station using his or her identity document. Once the general diary entry is made, they approach the telecom service provider with the GD seeking a new SIM. When a new SIM card is issued, the old one which is still in the possession of the owner, automatically gets blocked,” said an officer of the anti-bank fraud section.
The victim, in this case, did not raise any alarm when his SIM card got blocked without his knowledge. The police have warned the public to be cautious about their SIM cards and immediately inform the authorities if they suspect any fraudulent activity.
The anti-bank fraud section of the detective department in Lalbazar apprehended Sanjib Haldar and Rajat Kundu for their involvement in the SIM-swap fraud case. The police have urged people to stay vigilant and avoid sharing their personal information with anyone to prevent such frauds from happening.
The police have also advised people to secure their SIM cards by setting up a password and avoiding leaving their SIM cards unattended. They have assured the public that they are taking stringent measures to prevent such fraudulent activities and are tracking down the other members of the group.
To protect yourself from SIM-swap frauds, here are some steps you can take:
--Set up a password or PIN for your SIM card and change it regularly.
-- Avoid sharing your personal information, such as your identity documents, with anyone.
--Don't leave your SIM card unattended.
--Be alert for any suspicious messages or calls from unknown numbers.
--Enable two-factor authentication for your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
--Regularly check your bank statements and transaction history for any unauthorized transactions.
--If you suspect that your SIM card has been swapped, immediately contact your mobile service provider and your bank to report the incident and freeze your accounts.
