India News | CBI arrests 26 key figures and conducts coordinated searches in multiple cities at 32 locations

New Delhi (India), September 30 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully conducted a multi-city operation targeting a well-organized cybercrime network involved in fraudulent activities targeting victims worldwide. This operation resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of a major transnational, technology-enabled crime network, an official press release said.

Based on the inputs received about this organized cybercrime network, the CBI’s International Operations Division on September 24 registered a case under Sections 61 and 318 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and 66-D read with 75 of the Information Technology Act of 2000 as part of the ongoing Operation Chakra-III.

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After launching an investigation, the CBI quickly conducted coordinated searches at 32 different places in Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Vishakhapatnam from the late evening of September 26.

During searches, the CBI was able to intercept 170 persons involved in ongoing online criminal activities across four call centers in Pune, Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad.

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The CBI has so far arrested 26 key suspects, including 10 from Pune, 5 from Hyderabad and 11 from Visakhapatnam, while investigation and interrogation into the role of other employees at these illegal call centers is still ongoing.

These operations have resulted in the seizure of critical digital evidence and incriminating material. 951 items including electronic devices, mobile phones, laptops, financial information, communication data and incriminating material used by this cybercrime network for criminal activities and to defraud victims have been seized. In addition, Rs 58.45 lakh worth of cash, locker keys and three luxury vehicles were recovered.

According to officials, the cybercriminals targeted in this operation engaged in a range of illegal activities, including impersonating technical support services and soliciting victims, primarily in the US under the guise that the victim’s systems had been hacked. Victims were led to believe that their identities had been stolen and that a large number of unauthorized transactions were taking place on their bank accounts.

The victims were falsely led to believe that they were under the surveillance of law enforcement agencies due to suspicious orders allegedly placed by them. The cybercriminals then tricked victims into transferring their bank funds to new bank accounts provided by cybercriminals under the guise of securing their finances. In some cases, cybercriminals intimidated victims into transferring money to them via international gift cards or cryptocurrency. The victims targeted by this criminal network have suffered enormous wrongful losses, the official press release said.

The broader network and international leads are being investigated in close coordination with HSI (US) and other foreign law enforcement agencies. As part of the larger ongoing Operation CHAKRA-III, the CBI’s International Operations Division rapidly identified and took action on organized, technology-enabled crime networks, working closely with INTERPOL and foreign law enforcement agencies.

The operation, coordinated with law enforcement agencies in multiple countries, underscores the CBI’s commitment to combating and dismantling organized, technology-based crime networks. (ANI)

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