CBI arrests 26 cybercriminals in multi-state crackdown

New Delhi: In a multi-state crackdown against organized cybercrime, the CBI has arrested 26 suspected cybercriminals involved in fraudulent activities targeting people across the world, officials said on Monday.

The action under Operation Chakra-III began late last Thursday with raids at 32 different places in Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam. The central agency has seized Rs 58.45 lakh cash, locker keys and three luxury vehicles, they said.

Four call centers — VC Inconformities Pvt. Ltd at Regent Plaza, Pune; VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd., Murli Nagar, Visakhapatnam; Viajex Solutions, Hyderabad; and Atriya Global Services Pvt. Ltd, Visakhapatnam – were among the places raided by the agency.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intercepted 170 people involved in live online criminal activities across the four call centers, officials said.

“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,” said one CBI spokesperson in a statement.

He said the victims were convinced by the criminals that their identities had been stolen and a large number of unauthorized transactions were taking place in their bank accounts.

The scammers told the victims that they were under the scanner of investigation agencies of their respective countries, he added.

“The cybercriminals then induced victims to transfer 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 cryptocurrencies. Major unlawful losses have been suffered by the victims targeted by this criminal network,” the statement said.

So far, the CBI has arrested 10 cyber criminals from Pune, five from Hyderabad and 11 from Visakhapatnam. Further investigation and questioning into the role of other employees in these illegal call centers is ongoing, the report said.

“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 documents and incriminating materials used by this cybercrime network for criminal activities and to defraud victims have been seized,” the spokesperson said.

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