Indore cops arrest Betul youth for activating 84 SIMs for bonus

Indore: A youth from Betul in Madhya Pradesh, Vipin Magarde, was arrested for allegedly activating 84 SIM cards using his photograph to receive bonus-linked targets. The Indore crime branch found that nearly all the SIM activations were carried out using a single face.The action was taken against individuals and POS agents accused of misusing facial authentication to issue fake SIM cards. Acting on these inputs, a team identified three suspicious profiles linked to Indore.Additional DCP (Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya said scrutiny of CAF records and telecom data confirmed that one photograph was repeatedly used in multiple activations. Following the trail, the team reached Betul and detained Magarde.During questioning, Magarde admitted he activated SIM cards of telecom operators including VI, Airtel and BSNL to meet targets and earn higher incentives. He used Aadhaar details of unknown persons and registered POS agents in the names of his sister and a friend without their knowledge. He also told police that once targets were achieved, the SIM cards were deactivated.A case was registered against him under relevant sections of the Telecommunications Act, BNS and IT Act.