Three Cases Under Operation Chakra-VI; Three Accused Arrested for Alleged Cyber Fraud
New Delhi, September 5: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on “Digital Arrest” scams, carrying out coordinated searches at 89 locations across 20 States under Operation Chakra-VI. The agency has also arrested three persons in connection with three major cybercrime cases.
The action comes amid growing concerns over the alarming rise in digital arrest frauds, in which cybercriminals allegedly impersonate police officers, government officials and other law-enforcement authorities to intimidate victims and extort large sums of money.
The CBI said the latest operation was aimed at dismantling organised cybercrime networks involved in Digital Arrest cases and tracing the financial channels used to move and conceal the proceeds of crime.
Searches Conducted at 89 Locations Across 20 States
According to the CBI, extensive and coordinated searches were conducted at 89 premises spread across 20 States in the three cases. Investigators examined financial and technical evidence, including bank accounts, online transactions, bank statements and other digital records, to identify the beneficiaries and handlers operating behind the syndicates.
The agency said incriminating banking documents, account-related records, digital devices and other electronic evidence were recovered during the searches. The seized material is being examined to uncover the financial and technological infrastructure supporting the Digital Arrest networks operating across State boundaries.
Victim Kept Under Digital Arrest for Three Months
One of the cases relates to BITS Pilani, where the victim was allegedly kept under “digital arrest” for nearly three months and defrauded of approximately ₹7.67 crore by individuals impersonating police officers.
In another case, a victim was allegedly subjected to Digital Arrest for around three months in Gujarat and cheated of approximately ₹19.24 crore by persons posing as police officials.
The third case pertains to Karnataka, where the victim was allegedly kept under Digital Arrest for about a month and defrauded of approximately ₹15.45 crore.
Three Persons Arrested
During the investigation, the CBI arrested three accused persons whose alleged roles in the cybercrime network came to light during the searches.
The agency said its examination of the accused indicated their specific roles in receiving, layering and dispersing the proceeds of the fraud.
One accused, identified as Akash, a resident of Haryana, was allegedly found to have received ₹1.95 crore of the defrauded amount into his bank account. Investigators said he subsequently transferred and shifted the funds among various accounts to conceal the source of the money and establish a complex trail of transactions.
Another accused, Rajiv Kamarkar of Kolkata, was allegedly found to have received ₹1.5 crore of the fraudulent proceeds into his bank account.
The CBI also arrested Jyoti Rani, who allegedly received a portion of the defrauded funds and, with the assistance of other accused persons, participated in dispersing the money to obscure its trail.
Digital Devices and Financial Records Seized
The searches resulted in the recovery of several pieces of incriminating evidence, including banking documents, account records and digital devices. Investigators are now examining the electronic and financial material to identify additional members of the syndicates and determine the complete flow of the allegedly defrauded funds.
The investigation is also focused on tracing the wider network involved in the operation of Digital Arrest scams, including those responsible for impersonation, communication with victims, collection of money and subsequent layering of the proceeds.
CBI Vows Tough Action Against Organised Cybercrime
The CBI said it remains committed to taking decisive action against Digital Arrest crimes and organised cybercrime networks and bringing those involved to justice.
The agency’s latest operation follows directions from the Supreme Court of India calling for concerted action against perpetrators of Digital Arrest frauds and other organised cyber offences.
The CBI said further investigation in all three cases is underway, with efforts continuing to identify, track and apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the networks.(KNC)
