In a significant move against cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently executed a sweeping series of searches, hitting nearly 40 locations spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal. This large-scale operation, codenamed ‘Operation Chakra-V,’ aims to dismantle a vast transnational network behind sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ fraud schemes.
The genesis of this investigation lies in multiple complaints lodged by nine victims on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). These individuals reported falling prey to the ‘digital arrest’ scam, prompting the CBI to register a comprehensive First Information Report. The agency meticulously tracked the fraudulent activities, scrutinizing both the ‘mule accounts’ used for illicit transactions and the communication channels employed to ensnare victims.
The CBI also shared updates on this significant action, stating, ‘CBI Conducts Nationwide Searches in Digital Arrest Case under Operation Chakra-V.’
The investigation successfully identified approximately 40 individuals intricately involved in this organized cybercrime syndicate. The agency further exposed a widespread domestic network crucial for providing ‘mule’ bank accounts and setting up covert ‘hawala’ channels. These channels were instrumental in layering and moving the illicit proceeds of the crime, making them difficult to trace.
Forensic analysis by the CBI revealed that the defrauded funds were partially withdrawn within India, with the remainder being transferred internationally and subsequently retrieved from ATMs in foreign countries. A detailed examination of over 15,000 IP addresses confirmed that the masterminds behind these digital arrest frauds operate from international locations, including Cambodia. They heavily rely on Indian ‘mule’ account holders to obscure the money trail and integrate the illegally acquired funds into the legitimate financial system.
This sophisticated network facilitated substantial financial transfers through a well-coordinated system of mule accounts and money transfer agents, leveraging modern Fintech infrastructure for rapid money movement. During the searches, investigators seized numerous digital devices, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, SIM cards, and extensive WhatsApp communication archives. These crucial pieces of evidence are currently under scrutiny to establish comprehensive links between domestic facilitators and the primary conspirators, ultimately aiming to map the entire operational methodology, financial flows, and communication channels employed in these fraudulent activities.