Cybercrime – 35 pre-paid SIM Cards obtained by the accused to cheat people

Allegations against the accused for facilitating cyber crime by activating and supplying SIM numbers to co-accused involved in defrauding the complainant. It was seen that there was unrestricted issuance of number of SIM cards to the accused. 

According to the reports, cyber crime predominantly takes place through prepaid  SIM cards other than post-paid SIM cards or landlines.  As the executive has largely been unsuccessful in curbing the escalating threat of cyber crime, one potential immediate solution could be limiting the maximum number of prepaid SIM cards per individual. 

IT was observed that given the Aadhar card is exclusively linked to a single SIM card for OTP generation, there seems to be no justification for issuance of multiple prepaid SIM cards.  Firms, companies and organizations should be prohibited from issuing multiple prepaid SIM Cards.

Restricting prepaid SIM cards to one per individual is likely to significantly mitigate cyber crime, it could effectively curb cyber crime incidents, consequently reducing financial fraud and the exploitation of individuals and their assets.

Order in Criminal Main Case No.22266 of 2023 in the case of Sandeep Nandwani Vs. State of Haryana.