EOU ORGANIZED A HIGH LEVEL COORDIATION MEETING

EOU ORGANIZED A HIGH LEVEL COORDIATION MEETING

7-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Patna is the state level nodal agency and specialized unit of the state of Bihar for prevention, research, cyber awareness and monitoring of economic and cyber crime. The Economic Offences Unit has recently busted a sophisticated international and interstate SIM box syndicate through successful actions against cyber crime. During the investigation and research, complex techniques being adopted by organized crime groups of cyber crime have been revealed. These organized groups are involved in telecom bypass fraud on a large scale, causing huge revenue loss to the country and telecom providers as well as promoting a wide range of cyber crimes such as financial crimes, digital arrests and illegal international VOIP calls.

In view of the seriousness of the increasing threat, a high level coordination meeting was organized by the Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Patna with the Department of Telecommunications and all telecom service provider companies (TSPs) in the auditorium room on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Nayyar Hasnain Khan, Additional Director General of Police, Economic Offences Unit and the seminar was guided by Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber), Manavjit Singh Dhillon, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Patna. Other following officers were present in this high level coordination meeting.

Amarkesh D., Superintendent of Police, (Training, Portal and Coordination), IAPE, Vinay Tiwari, Superintendent of Police, (Cyber Research and Operations), IAPE, Rajiv Ranjan, Director (Security), Department of Telecommunications, Patna, Nodal Officers of Jio/Airtel/BSNL/Voda Idea.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the changing trends and complexities of cyber crime, especially SIM BOX fraud, and to ensure the security of the state in the context of increasing incidents of illegal communication networks and to make coordination between TSPS and LEA (Law Enforcement Agencies) more effective.

Inaugurating the meeting, ADG welcomed all the nodal officers and highlighted the current global and local scenario of cyber security and apprised them of the latest changing methods of cyber crime. He sensitized the TSPS and DoT officials and told that some loopholes and negligence are posing a serious threat to the security of the state, privacy of citizens and law and order.

He particularly mentioned the international SIM Box Fraud exposed in Supaul, in which the involvement of foreign cyber agents, illegal SIM card supplier network and Chinese, Southeast Asian countries' network has come to the fore. Expressing concern over this, he said that in view of the possible election activities in the near future, it is very important that there should be no lapse at any level in the system and the security of all sensitive information should be ensured. For this, TSP and DOT will have to organize continuous coordination meetings with Economic Offenses Unit, Bihar Patna.

In the meeting, emphasizing on compliance with the guidelines issued by DOT on 31.08.2023, clear instructions were given to TSPS that registration of all PoS (Point of Sale) centers, biometric verification, and transparency in the supply chain of SIM distribution should be given priority. Also, it should be ensured that there is no fake or unauthorized PoS activity and real time availability of data should be given to this unit. Along with this, advisory was also given to the nodal officer for compliance with the current rules along with DO's & Don'ts in accordance with the guidelines issued by DOT.

In the meeting, a detailed PPT presentation based on SIM Box Fraud was given by Superintendent of Police Vinay Tiwari, in which detailed information was given on the modus operandi of cyber fraud done in the latest way, involvement of foreign networks, and loopholes in the SIM supply network and payment mechanism through cryptocurrency. He informed that crimes like Digital Arrest Scam, VOIP Call Fraud are being committed through SIM fraud, which is affecting the economic security of common citizens along with revenue loss.

Defining the responsibility of TSPS during the meeting, ADG sir directed that with immediate effect all the companies should re-verify PoS Distributors and Agents, make the SIM card distribution system transparent, and inform the police about every suspicious activity related to cyber crime on time. He also said that now the time has come to dismantle the network of cyber criminals through effective monitoring and strict action.

In the meeting, it was decided to form two sub-groups for coordination between DOT, TSPS and police, which will work on regular dialogue, technical solutions and strategic planning in the changing era of cyber crime.

At the end of the meeting, DIG Cyber Sanjay Kumar addressed all the attendees. He said that strong partnership between police, DOT and TSPs is the key to success in the fight against cyber crime. They emphasized the need for continued cooperation, monitoring, prompt action, and awareness campaigns at all levels.

Finally, the meeting proved to be a significant initiative towards the elimination of cyber crime in which all stakeholders resolved to share their responsibility.