CBI takes on transnational cybercrime network

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in close cooperation with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has dismantled a cybercriminal network that has been targeting victims abroad since 2022. The masterminds behind the networks have been funneling illegally obtained funds into virtual assets and precious metals.

A key suspect, identified as Vishnu Rathi, has been arrested in Mumbai.

On September 9, the agency registered the case against the accused, including Mr. Rathi, on charges that they conspired between June and August 2022 to target a US citizen by gaining unauthorized remote access to her computer and bank account.

Under the pretense of offering technical support services, they falsely informed the victim that her bank account had been compromised. They claimed that the funds were at risk and allegedly manipulated her into transferring $453,953 to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by them.

“After registering the case (as part of Operation Chakra-III), the CBI swiftly conducted extensive searches at multiple locations linked to the accused, yielding substantial incriminating evidence. Searches conducted on September 12 and 13 at seven locations in Mumbai and Kolkata revealed that this transnational cyber-enabled financial crime network was channelling proceeds of crime through virtual assets and precious metals,” an official said.

During the search of Mr Rathi’s residence, 57 gold bars of 100 grams each, ₹16 lakh cash, a mobile phone and a laptop used to manage cryptocurrencies, locker details and some incriminating documents were reportedly seized.