Punjab cops block 1.8 lakh SIM cards linked to fake IDs — 500 issued on one photo, multiple addresses

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that stern action is being initiated against Point of Sales (PoS) agents and other persons involved in issuing such SIM cards.

Police teams have arrested 17 such persons, who were found indulging in the sale of such SIM cards, besides registering 52 FIRs under relevant provisions of the IPC across the state in the last three days, the DGP added.
Special DGP, Internal Security, R N Dhoke said that he held multiple meetings with telecom department and telecom service providers, following which, police initiated the crackdown.

IG, Counter Intelligence, Rakesh Agrawal has been made the nodal officer in this regard and efforts are on to identify more such SIM cards, Dhoke said. The special DGP also warned retailers of stern action for failing to comply with the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) norms, and added that the lapse contributed to the activation of thousands of SIM cards fraudulently.

“Special teams of the Counter Intelligence Wing have been coordinating with the district police to zero in on SIM card retailers, who activated different mobile phone numbers with the same proof of identity,” he said.

The matter is also being taken up with the telecom authorities to blacklist such agents, the officer added.

Police are also investigating users of the fraudulent SIM cards, the police statement said.