Murshidabad, West Bengal:
West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two men from Murshidabad district in connection with an alleged OTP trafficking scam that may have links to Pakistan-based operators. The arrests come after a sustained investigation revealed that the accused shared WhatsApp verification OTPs of Indian SIM cards with handlers abroad in exchange for money.
According to police officials, the suspects — identified as Juhab Sheikh and Suman Sheikh, both residents of Gudhia in Murshidabad — reportedly procured SIM cards using identity documents and created WhatsApp accounts. They then sent the one-time verification codes (OTPs) generated during account setup to contacts outside India via WhatsApp. These OTPs are essential for verifying mobile numbers and are typically required to access accounts, including messaging and banking services.
The STF first took Juhab Sheikh into custody on 10 February 2026 after intelligence agencies flagged suspicious activity. Following interrogation, officials uncovered evidence suggesting that Juhab and his associate Suman had repeatedly exchanged OTPs with their foreign contacts. Based on this information, investigators tracked down and arrested Suman Sheikh on 22 February 2026.
Multiple mobile phones and SIM cards were seized from the suspects during the operation. Preliminary investigation suggests that at least seven OTP exchanges took place, with the duo receiving substantial funds — some of which were reportedly received in cryptocurrency — into their bank accounts as payment for the OTPs.
Police are now probing whether the accounts created using these OTPs were later used for illegal activities, including information gathering, remote account access, or espionage-related purposes. Officials have not yet confirmed if any sensitive data was accessed or transmitted using these accounts, but authorities are continuing the investigation to determine the extent of the network and whether the case involves connections with foreign intelligence agencies or larger criminal groups.
The STF has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and is reviewing financial and digital evidence for ties to other suspects.
Officials stated that this case highlights emerging trends in cyber exploitation, where basic telecommunication verification tools like OTPs are misused by criminal networks to bypass security and potentially facilitate cybercrime. Authorities have urged residents to secure mobile numbers and report suspicious account activity to law enforcement.