Imphal: Manipur Police arrested a 32-year-old man with 117 pre-activated SIM cards, highlighting efforts to curb illegal activities involving mobile networks.
The arrest, made on Saturday, in the Imphal West district, underscores India’s intensified crackdown on telecom fraud and strengthened SIM verification protocols introduced in 2024.
The suspect, identified as Wahengbam Ajit Meetei, also known as Apa, was apprehended during an investigation into the unlawful distribution of pre-activated SIM cards.
Police suspect the cards were being sold for illicit purposes, including extortion.
Authorities are now probing the operation to uncover its full extent and any links to organised criminal networks.
Pre-activated SIM cards pose a significant security threat as they bypass the strict identity verification measures mandated by India’s Department of Telecommunications.
These measures, part of the country’s Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, require users to provide biometric data and official documentation for SIM activation, aiming to prevent anonymous usage that could facilitate criminal activities.
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India’s recent telecom reforms include the deactivation of over 781,000 fraudulent SIM cards as part of a nationwide effort to combat cybercrime.
The issue of pre-activated SIM cards has also been reported in other states, including a high-profile bust in Kolkata where police seized over 2,000 fake SIM cards.
While investigations in the Manipur case are ongoing, authorities have yet to reveal further details about the intended use of the SIM cards or connections to broader criminal activities.
