Uttar Pradesh: Sitapur Man Arrested For Smuggling SIM Cards To Nepal, Pakistan Using Forged IDs

Police in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district have arrested one Santram for allegedly activating and smuggling 50 SIM cards to Nepal and Pakistan using forged documents. The arrest follows a complaint filed by ATS Inspector Arvind Kumar Pandey.  

Investigations reveal Santram operated as a POS agent for a private telecom company near Bijwar police outpost since 2022. He allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and even photos of his first wife to activate SIMs. These were then smuggled abroad through a Pilibhit-based contact, with suspicions of being used for anti-national activities.  

Sitapur Man Arrested for Smuggling SIM Cards to Nepal, Pakistan Using Forged IDs

Authorities recovered suspicious audio recordings and evidence linking Santram to cybercrimes. Bank accounts under his name showed transactions worth lakhs, allegedly from commissions earned by opening accounts for others under false pretenses. The accused reportedly lured people with ₹25,000 offers to open bank accounts later used for cyber fraud.  

This case echoes a 2017 incident where ATS seized 47,000 activated SIMs in Sitapur. Santram's arrest has uncovered an elaborate network, with investigations ongoing into potential international connections. Forensic analysis of the seized devices and documents is underway.