16 key figures of TG, AP, among 26 held in CBI’s Operation Chakra-III

Hyderabad: At least 16 persons from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were among the 26 arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after conducting a multi-city operation targeting a well-organized cybercrime network involved in fraudulent activities targeting victims worldwide.

The operation resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of a major transnational, technology-enabled crime network. Based on inputs about the organized cybercrime network, the agency’s international operations wing on September 24 registered a case (RC2312024S0010) under Sections 61 and 318 of BNSS, 2023 and the Information Technology Act as part of the ongoing ‘Operation Chakra- III’. ‘, said a statement here on Monday.

After launching an investigation, the CBI conducted coordinated searches at 32 different places in Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam from late September 26. They were able to intercept 170 individuals involved in online criminal activities across four call centers: VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd at Regent Plaza, Pune; VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd at Murlinagar in Visakhapatnam; Viajex Solutions in Hyderabad and Atriya Global Services Pvt. Ltd in Visakhapatnam, the statement said.

The CBI has so far arrested 26 suspects, including 10 from Pune, five from Hyderabad and 11 from Visakhapatnam, while investigating and questioning the role of other employees in these illegal call centers is still ongoing.

These operations have resulted in the seizure of critical digital evidence and incriminating material. About 951 items have been seized, including electronic devices, mobile phones, laptops, financial information, communications data and incriminating material used for criminal activities and defrauding victims.

In addition, Rs 58.45 lakh in cash, locker keys and three luxury vehicles have been recovered.

The cybercriminals also engaged in a range of illegal activities, including posing as technical support services and soliciting victims, especially in the US under the pretext 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 induced the victims to transfer their bank funds to new bank accounts provided by the cybercriminals to ‘safeguard’ their finances. In some cases, cybercriminals intimidated their victims into transferring money via international gift cards or cryptocurrencies. The victims have suffered significant wrongful losses. Investigations into the broader network and work on international leads are conducted in close cooperation with HSI (US) and other foreign law enforcement agencies.

As part of the larger ongoing Operation Chakra-III, the CBI’s International Operations Division, in collaboration with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies, rapidly identified and took action on organized, technology-enabled crime networks.