CBI arrests cybercriminal based on FBI inputs; 57 gold bars, Rs 16 lakh seized during house raids

NEW DELHI, Sept 14: The CBI has arrested an alleged cybercriminal from Mumbai who defrauded a US citizen of USD 4.5 lakh by posing as a tech employee, officials said on Saturday.

In the operation, carried out as part of the ongoing fight against cybercriminals under Operation Chakra-3, in collaboration with the US FBI, the CBI dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime network powered by virtual assets and precious metals that has been targeting victims abroad since 2022, the organization said.

During searches conducted at seven locations over the past two days, the CBI seized 57 gold bars of 100 grams each, cash worth Rs 16 lakh, a mobile phone, a laptop used to manage cryptocurrency, locker details and other incriminating documents from the residence of Mumbai-based cybercriminal Vishnu Rathi, officials said.

The agency found evidence that this transnational, cyber-enabled financial crime network channeled criminal proceeds through virtual assets and precious metals, the agency said.

The CBI had on September 9 filed a case against Rathi and others based on allegations that the accused hatched a conspiracy to target a US national by gaining unauthorized remote access to the victim’s computer and bank account between June and August 2022.

“It was also alleged that under the pretext of offering technical support services, they falsely informed the US victim that her bank account had been compromised. They claimed that the funds were at risk and allegedly manipulated the victim into transferring USD 453,953 to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by them,” a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

The CBI is working with the FBI and law enforcement agencies in several countries through Interpol to follow up on leads, he said.

“Operation CHAKRA-III has been initiated by the CBI to combat and dismantle organised cyber-financial crime networks through a globally coordinated law enforcement response using Interpol channels,” the spokesperson said. (PTI)