22-10-2025

Vilnius Criminal Police Operation Strikes SIM Box Network

Officers from the Criminal Police Property Crimes Investigation Board of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters carrying out a pre-trial investigation, launched under Article 198² of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania (Illegal Possession of Devices, Software, Passwords, Codes, and Other Data), which is being organized and supervised by a prosecutor from the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office, 1st Criminal Prosecution Division.

The investigation began in late July 2025, following a report from the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT). The report contained information about suspected SIM “clusters” – or SIM Boxes – operating within Vilnius.
A SIM Box is a device that uses a large number of SIM cards (usually from different mobile operators) to route or receive phone calls and text messages via computer systems. These devices are often used for fraudulent activities, including telecommunications scams, bypassing international call charges, and online crime.

Vilnius criminal police identified unusually high levels of prepaid SIM card activity in certain mobile network tower cells. Through covert investigative actions, officers located three main sites in Vilnius where SIM Boxes were believed to be operating. However, pinpointing their exact positions proved challenging, as the devices were installed inside large commercial buildings.

Further covert investigation led to the identification of individuals suspected of organizing and maintaining the network. These persons allegedly travelled to various European countries to purchase large quantities of SIM cards from different operators. The SIM cards were likely used for cyber fraud schemes involving VoIP (Voice over IP) calls, as well as for creating fake accounts on platforms such as PayPal, Facebook, Google, Telegram, and WhatsApp.

In early October 2025, police launched a coordinated operation across Vilnius County. Searches were carried out at multiple locations, resulting in the arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in the criminal network. During the raids, officers discovered nearly 200 SIM Boxes, around 100 computers used to carry out the illegal operations, and approximately 75,000 SIM cards from various international operators.

It is suspected that the recovered SIM Boxes and SIM cards were used to facilitate fraud and other criminal activities not only in Lithuania but also abroad.

Both suspects have been placed under pre-trial restrictive measures and the investigation continues as the officers of the Criminal Police Property Crimes Investigation Board of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters work to identify all individuals connected to the network.

This case once again highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation, the use of advanced telecommunications analysis tools, and methodical investigative work, which together enable law enforcement to respond swiftly and effectively to modern forms of organized cybercrime.