Detention Of An Illegal SIM Activation Network In Karachi

According to a report, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) conducted a targeted raid in Shah Faisal Colony, Karachi, and discovered an illicit SIM activation network that was using a franchise from a private mobile operator.

After the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) filed a formal complaint, NCCIA launched the operation. A key suspect in the operation was arrested for employing phony biometric verification system (BVS) devices to activate several SIM cards.

The investigators claim that the franchise manager avoided legal procedures and carried out the illegal SIM activation process by secretly working with aides to obtain unauthorized access to internal systems.

The organization activated (379) SIM cards over the course of the two months, from (March 1st to May 31st, 2025), (347) of which were registered using Punjabi CNICs.

Concerns regarding identity theft and digital security were raised when a number of people whose identities were stolen stated that they were totally ignorant of any SIM activations from Karachi.

The franchise center’s digital gadgets and evidence were confiscated. As the investigation continues, more arrests are expected, and the arrested suspect is currently being questioned about other members of the unlawful SIM activation network.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s larger campaign against illicit SIM sales, which has included raids in other cities like “Multan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi”, includes this operation. The phony SIM advice that was circulating on social media earlier was officially rejected by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),

if more than (5) SIMs are used in a month, mobile phones will be disabled.

In a visual post that even features the PTA’s official logo, a false notification is being shared that links to the organization and warns that using (5) SIMs on (1) device could result in the device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) being blocked.