A SIM swap allows a cell phone user to replace a SIM card, because of damage to the SIM or loss of a cell phone, while allowing the user to retain the same number. Recently, Manasa (name changed) was shocked when she found that her mobile number was being used by a fraudster while she was out of the country for few of months.
The fraudster had allegedly managed to get her mobile number transferred to his name. He had convinced the mobile company that he was the owner of the number and applied for a new SIM card. Manasa realised she was a victim of the “SIM swap scam” only after returning to the country. When she tried calling her number, it was getting connected to the fraudster from Kolar. After she complained to the telcom service provider, the nodal officer, Subash Chengappa, reported the matter to the police. He has accused Suresh Reddy, Om Prakash and other unknown persons of unauthorisedly using the SIM card.
“The number belongs to a security solutions company. The number was being used by the daughter of the company’s MD. The number was issued to company in 2004,” he stated. One of the subsidiary units of the cellphone company on Cunningham Road received a request for SIM swap from Suresh Reddy, who claimed to be an executive of the company. He said the SIM was given to him by the company and since he had lost the SIM, he was applying for a duplicate one, he said.
Reddy provided the request on the company’s letterhead. “A few days ago, Manasa complained to us that the number allotted to her company had been disconnected. She was away in the UK and returned in January 2010. She complained that the number is being used by Om Prakash. We barred the outgoing and incoming calls of the mobile number and again issued a duplicate SIM to Manasa,” Mr Chengappa told the police. The MICO Layout police, investigating the case, said as per TRAI rules, if any mobile number is not used for 45 days, it gets automatically disconnected and is reissued. But in this case, Mr Chengappa complained that the number was obtained through SIM swap. The investigations are on and the suspects are yet to be arrested. The nodal officer Subash Chengappa refused to comment.