Odisha crime branch STF takes over illegal tel exchange case

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch today took over probe in the seizure of SIM boxes in Ganjam district in which four persons were arrested yesterday for alleged link with underworld gangs.
"STF of Odisha crime branch takes over investigation of Gopalpur PS (police station) case no. 57/2017 relating to seizure of SIM boxes," Special DG of Police, Crime, B K Sharma said in a Twitter post.
A team of STF officers and EOW (Economic Offences Wing), including cyber investigators, is being deputed to Gopalpur to probe the case, Sharma said adding, an Additional SP is heading the team.

Stating that the arrested persons in the case will be brought on remand for custodial interrogation, he said the FIR alleges that the illegal telephone exchange was facilitating international calls and had linkages with organised criminal groups.
The crime branch move came a day after police arrested four persons, including two computer engineers, in Berhampur in Ganjam district on charge of illegally operating SIM boxes, which were being used by gangsters to divert ISD/STD calls by using fake SIMs.
The arrest was made on the basis of inputs of the crime branch of Mumbai police, which was probing a case involving demand of Rs 2 crore ransom from a Mumbai based businessman.

The ransom was allegedly demanded by one Suresh Pujari, based in Hongkong, the police said.

Police seized at least five China-made SIM Boxes, several fake SIM cards and ID proofs from the arrested persons who were jointly operating like a mini telephone exchange at Utkal Ashram Road in Berhampur, the police said.
Sharma said the Mumbai police had registered a case in this regard and are in contact with the Odisha police.
During preliminary investigation, police came to know that the SIM Boxes were procured from China though an agent from Hyderabad. Some other companies based at New Delhi and Ahmadabad are suspected to be involved in the racket.

The SIM boxes and other gadgets, which were seized are being sent to the forensic laboratory.
The SIM boxes, mostly designed by some Chinese firms, can accommodate 16, 32, 64 and more SIMs in series. It is like a mini telephone exchange, not authorised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the police said.