my uttarakhand news Bureau
Kashipur (US Nagar), 29 Oct: In a major crackdown on cyber-crime and illegal telecom networks, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has unearthed a suspected telecom setup, call centre and digital exchange being operated under the name of NS Enterprise in Kashipur. Preliminary technical investigations have revealed crucial evidence indicating the alleged use of SIP connections for International Long Distance (ILD) gateway bypass and automated robo-calling activities. The probe has also found that as many as 45,453 outgoing calls were made from the setup within a span of just 21 days.
One accused, identified as Naimuddin, a resident of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested in connection with the case.
According to the STF officials, the action was carried out as part of the state’s ongoing campaign against cyber-crime being conducted under the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the guidance of Director General of Police Deepam Seth.
Acting on technical inputs, a team of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Kumaon Region, Rudrapur, under the leadership of Inspector General, STF/Cyber, Nilesh Anand Bharne and Senior Superintendent of Police, STF, Ajay Singh, conducted a joint operation with officials of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
According to the STF, sustained intelligence gathering and monitoring are underway to identify and dismantle illegal telecom networks and technical infrastructure allegedly being used in cybercrimes. During this process, investigators received significant inputs about a suspicious telecom setup operating in the Kashipur area. The information suggested that SIP connections were allegedly being used for ILD gateway bypass and large-scale automated robo-calling. Considering the seriousness of the inputs, the STF and Cyber Crime Kumaon Unit carried out a joint inspection with the Department of Telecommunications and conducted a detailed technical examination at the premises.
During the operation, investigators recovered electronic devices and important digital evidence linked to the suspected telecom setup. Technical verification revealed that premises had allegedly been rented under the name of NS Enterprise, where internet and SIP connections had been obtained and telecom operations were being conducted through computer systems, Jio and Airtel connectivity, SIP equipment and other networking devices. The exact nature and purpose of these activities are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The STF stated that technical scrutiny of the computer systems led to the discovery of a Linux OS-based virtual machine, FreePBX login credentials, remote access software and SSH clients. Investigators also recovered digital evidence linked to WhatsApp Web. The system logs, virtual machine data and relevant WhatsApp chats have been secured for forensic analysis. Officials said that the chats contain conversations relating to SIP trunks, SIP cables and internet connectivity, which are being treated as significant evidence in the case.
Investigators have also collected RAM dumps of the computer systems and the virtual machines, along with other technical logs, to facilitate detailed analysis of digital activities, usage patterns and communication arrangements. The forensic examination is expected to help establish the manner in which the network was operated, identify additional individuals involved and uncover any related activities linked to the setup.
According to the STF’s preliminary findings, the accused allegedly established the firm as a front to operate a suspected telecom network. The office was equipped with internet infrastructure and SIP-based communication systems through which calling activities were allegedly conducted. Inputs received from the Department of Telecommunications pointed towards possible ILD gateway bypass operations and short-duration automated robo-calling. Such systems are capable of placing a large number of calls automatically through software without requiring an individual to initiate each call separately. These technologies can be used for promotional campaigns, recorded messages and, in some cases, cyber fraud-related activities.
Based on the evidence collected so far, a case has been registered against Naimuddin, son of Zahid Hussain, a resident of Mankua Maqsoodpur under Dilari police station in Moradabad district in UP. The accused has been booked at Cyber Crime Police Station, Kumaon, Rudrapur, under Sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, and Sections 42(1) and 42(3) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The STF said further investigations are underway to ascertain the role of the accused’s associates and other persons who may have been connected with the operation.
The STF further stated that three cases related to illegal SIM box operations and suspicious telecom setups have been registered during the past one month, resulting in four accused being sent to jail. The agency described the latest action as part of its wider campaign to curb illegal telecom networks and technical infrastructure allegedly being misused for cyber crimes in the state.
The operation was carried out by the STF team comprising Inspector Arun Kumar, Sub-Inspector Ashok Kandpal, Sub-Inspector Prakash Bhagat, Assistant Sub-Inspector Satyendra Gangola, Assistant Sub-Inspector Vinod Kumar Bisht, Head Constable Manoj Kumar and Constable Muhammad Usman. The Department of Telecommunications team included Rahul Naredi, ADG (Security & Technology), and Meenu Kumari, JTO (Security & Technology).
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