Indian agency arrests 26 key members of a global cybercrime gang

NEW DELHI, September 30, 2024 (WAM) — India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully conducted a multi-city operation targeting a well-organized cybercrime network involved in fraudulent activities in many parts of the world, Asian News International (ANI) reported on Monday.

This operation resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of a major transnational technology-enabled crime network, a CBI press release said.

Based on the inputs received through this organized cybercrime network, the CBI’s International Operations Division conducted coordinated searches at 32 different locations in India.

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

The CBI has arrested 26 key suspects so far, while investigations and interrogations into the role of other employees at these illegal call centers are underway.

The CBI has seized several electronic devices, documents and ₹5.85 million (AED256,451) from the suspects.

These cybercriminals approach victims online, especially in the US, and convince them that their systems have been hacked. Victims are led to believe that hackers have made unauthorized transactions from their bank accounts, and therefore they are under the surveillance of law enforcement authorities. The cyber criminals then ensure that the victims transfer their money to the new bank account they specified.

Investigations into the broader network and international leads are conducted in close coordination with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, INTERPOL and other foreign law enforcement agencies.