2 arrested in Bengal for supplying OTPs, SIM access to foreign operatives
India Today
It is suspected that the accused not only facilitated digital scams, but also endangered national security by abetting the illegal entry of foreigners into India.
The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police has arrested two persons from Murshidabad for allegedly operating an illegal One-Time Password (OTP) sharing racket with suspected cross-border links, officials said.
The accused, identified as Juhab and Suman, are alleged to have supplied OTPs and SIM-linked digital access to handlers based in Pakistan and Bangladesh, raising concerns of potential misuse for fraud and activities linked to national security.
The investigation began on February 10 after STF officers, acting on a tip-off, arrested Juhab in Murshidabad district. During interrogation, investigators traced his associate Suman, who was arrested on Sunday, February 22, and later produced before a Bidhan Nagar court, which remanded him to police custody.
Officials said the duo allegedly used WhatsApp and other digital platforms to sell OTPs to third parties in exchange for money, allowing unauthorised access to online accounts and mobile-linked services.
According to investigators, the accused were allegedly acting on the instructions of handlers operating from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Police sources said the suspects shared OTP credentials to help create and operate social media and other digital accounts from within India.
The duo was also allegedly tasked with procuring SIM cards, activating mobile numbers and transferring operational control of these accounts to foreign-based handlers.
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