Unraveling an International Cyber Fraud Network: The Case of Harshit Kumar

A Major Breakthrough in Cybercrime Investigation

In a significant development, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has revealed a sprawling international cyber fraud network helmed by 21-year-old Harshit Kumar from Gauspur, Supaul. The implications of this case extend well beyond local boundaries, reaching countries like China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand. Recognizing the complexity and international scope of the operation, the EOU has officially recommended that the investigation into the SIM box fraud be transitioned to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Training and Technical Sophistication

Delving into the early stages of Harshit’s operations, preliminary findings indicate that he traveled to China to gain firsthand knowledge of advanced cyber-fraud techniques. During this trip, he connected with experienced hackers who trained him in bypassing telecommunication systems and managing SIM box-based operations.

Upon returning to India, Harshit acquired several SIM boxes manufactured in China, which were then illicitly brought into the country. These devices enabled the conversion of international VoIP calls into local calls, obscuring their true origin and facilitating extensive fraudulent activities.

Equipment Recovered During Raids

In a series of raids on Harshit’s properties in Supaul, the EOU seized a substantial amount of telecom equipment, reflecting the scale of his operation:

• 231 active mobile SIM cards
• 294 new Airtel SIM cards
• 800 used SIM cards
• 8 SIM box devices

The breadth of this cache highlights the sophisticated infrastructure behind his fraudulent activities.

Massive Call Generation and Fraudulent Activities

The EOU’s investigations uncovered staggering statistics about the volume of fraudulent calls generated by Harshit and his associates. In just 48 hours, they managed to initiate 51,000 calls using 149 SIM cards that were fraudulently obtained from Vaishali. In another instance, between June 21 and June 23, 2025, the group used a different set of 50 SIM cards to conduct over 10,000 fraudulent calls.

These calls, originating from international VoIP channels, appeared to come from local numbers after being funneled through SIM boxes, which made tracing them exceedingly challenging. The fraudsters impersonated bank officials, customer service agents, and even government representatives to deceive victims.

Uncovering Multiple Illegal Exchanges

The investigation into Harshit’s network triggered a broader statewide inquiry that uncovered five illegal telephone exchanges linked to his operation. These locations included:

• Gauspur, Supaul
• Narayanpur, Bhojpur
• Chariya, Baisi
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

In a notable twist, investigators found that an operator in Rosera, Samastipur, was remotely controlling the SIM boxes in Baisi and Varanasi, efficiently orchestrating thousands of daily calls for cyber scams across India and internationally.

Global Operations and Financial Trails

Beyond his immediate operations, Harshit’s activities extended to international travel and investment in a web of financial dealings. Investigators tracked his journeys to five countries—China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand—each aimed at strengthening his cybercrime network.

The EOU discovered that Harshit was diverting the proceeds from his cyber fraud into investments across ten countries. He maintained accounts on two foreign cryptocurrency exchanges, with a total valuation reportedly exceeding ₹3 crore, suggesting that he played a pivotal role in a larger global cybercrime syndicate.

Connections through Social Media

In building his extensive network, Harshit was adept at using social media and encrypted communication channels to forge connections with cybercriminals from various countries, including:

• China
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Thailand
• Germany
• Hong Kong

Through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, online forums, and Telegram groups, he orchestrated complaints and sourced four SIM boxes from China and four from Vietnam, which were ultimately utilized in his illegal operations in India.

Transitioning to a National Probe

Given the international reach and the intricate nature of Harshit Kumar’s cyber fraud scheme, the EOU has deemed it crucial for the CBI to take over the investigation. A formal request has been submitted, anticipating that the CBI’s involvement will lead to more extensive findings.

Official Statement from the ADG of EOU

The Additional Director General of the Economic Offences Unit underscored the case’s international links and complexity, stating, “The SIM box fraud has links extending to China and several other countries. Due to the transnational nature of the crime, we have recommended that the entire investigation be transferred to the CBI. The agency is expected to take charge soon.”

As this unfolding narrative suggests, what began as a local investigation is poised to expand significantly, with more details about this international network likely to emerge as the CBI initiates its inquiry.