In a major cybercrime crackdown, the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police, in collaboration with the Banjara Hills Police, arrested Shaik Munwar Basha from Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, for misusing SIM cards registered under fake identities.
Basha, who worked as a SIM promoter and field sales executive, allegedly exploited demo SIMs and issued SIMs with falsified addresses to carry out cyber scams. According to the police, he actively collaborated with other cybercriminals to conduct fraudulent schemes, particularly targeting unsuspecting buyers on OLX.
The gang’s modus operandi involved reposting genuine mobile sale ads on social media platforms. Once a buyer responded, Basha and his associates would arrange a meeting between the buyer and the original seller. After receiving payment online, they would switch off their phones and vanish — leaving both parties defrauded.
Authorities revealed that Munwar Basha is linked to at least 14 cyber fraud cases and used three different mobile numbers across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. His arrest is seen as a significant blow to cybercriminal networks exploiting telecom loopholes.
