New Delhi, The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key conspirator from Guwahati who illegally obtained over 10,000 SIM cards for use in cyber crimes, officials said.

Officials said on Monday that Ubaid Ullah, who had been absconding since August last year, was arrested early on Sunday. A CBI spokesperson said in a statement, “The arrested accused had illegally obtained SIM cards in Guwahati and had been absconding since August 2025. Investigation has revealed that the accused transferred approximately 6.7 million rupees to a Point of Sale agent through multiple bank accounts to illegally obtain about 10,000 SIM cards.”

The spokesperson said, “Evidence related to courier transactions used to obtain these SIM cards has also been found.” This arrest is part of the CBI’s ‘Operation Chakravyuh-Five’, under which the agency has intensified its crackdown on cyber crime infrastructure across India.

The CBI had last year registered a case against a Point of Sale agent involved in illegally issuing SIM cards and aiding cyber criminals engaged in crimes such as digital arrest, loan and investment fraud. The spokesperson said, “During the investigation, search operations were conducted at approximately 45 locations across eight states, resulting in the arrest of 10 accused POS agents involved in issuing fake/illegally obtained SIM cards.”

CBI

CBI most commonly refers to the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s premier investigative agency. Established in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment, it was renamed in 1963 and is tasked with investigating corruption, economic crimes, and special cases. The agency operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Guwahati

Guwahati, the largest city in the Indian state of Assam, is a historic urban center situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Once known as Pragjyotishpura, it served as the capital of the ancient Varman dynasty and later became a key hub under the Ahom kingdom. Today, it is renowned for its cultural landmarks, including the Kamakhya Temple, and serves as a major gateway to Northeast India.

New Delhi

New Delhi, the capital of India, was officially inaugurated in 1931 as the imperial capital of British India, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The city replaced Calcutta as the seat of government and is known for its grand boulevards, colonial-era architecture, and landmarks like India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Today, it serves as the political and cultural heart of modern India, blending historical legacy with rapid urban development.