New Delhi, Sept 5 (JKNS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its crackdown on organised “Digital Arrest” cybercrime syndicates, conducting coordinated searches at 89 locations across 20 States and arresting three accused persons in connection with three major cyber fraud cases.
The action was carried out under Operation Chakra-VI, with investigators focusing on networks allegedly involved in impersonating police officers, government officials and other law-enforcement authorities to intimidate victims and extort money.
According to the CBI, as per news agency JKNS, the three cases involved victims who were allegedly kept under “digital arrest” for prolonged periods and collectively defrauded of around ₹42.36 crore.
The agency said searches were conducted at 89 premises across 20 States and involved examination of financial and technical evidence, including bank accounts, transaction records, bank statements and digital devices.
During the searches, investigators recovered incriminating banking documents, account-related records, electronic devices and other digital evidence, which are being examined to identify additional members of the alleged syndicates and trace the flow of the defrauded funds.
Victims Allegedly Defrauded of Crores
One of the cases relates to BITS Pilani, where a victim was allegedly kept under digital arrest for nearly three months and defrauded of approximately ₹7.67 crore by persons allegedly posing as police officers.
In another case registered in Gujarat, the victim was allegedly subjected to digital arrest for around three months and cheated of approximately ₹19.24 crore by persons impersonating police officials.
The third case pertains to Karnataka, where a victim was allegedly kept under digital arrest for about a month and defrauded of approximately ₹15.45 crore.
Three Arrested Over Alleged Money Trail
The CBI said three accused persons were arrested during the course of the investigation after their alleged roles in receiving, layering and dispersing the fraud proceeds came to light.
One accused, identified as Akash of Haryana, was allegedly found to have received around ₹1.95 crore of the defrauded money in his bank account. Investigators alleged that the funds were subsequently transferred through multiple accounts to conceal their origin and complicate the transaction trail.
Another accused, Rajiv Kamarkar of Kolkata, was allegedly found to have received around ₹1.5 crore of the fraudulent proceeds in his account.
The third accused, Jyoti Rani, was allegedly involved in receiving and dispersing a portion of the defrauded funds with the assistance of other accused persons, the agency said.
CBI Traces Financial and Digital Infrastructure
The agency said the investigation is aimed at identifying the wider infrastructure behind the alleged Digital Arrest syndicates, including persons involved in impersonation, communicating with victims, collecting fraudulent payments and layering or transferring the proceeds.
Digital devices and financial records seized during the searches are being examined to establish the complete money trail and identify further persons allegedly connected with the networks.
The CBI said it remains committed to taking stringent action against organised cybercrime and Digital Arrest frauds and bringing those responsible to justice.
The latest action follows directions from the Supreme Court of India for concerted efforts against perpetrators of Digital Arrest frauds and other organised cyber offences.
Further investigation in all three cases is underway, with the CBI continuing efforts to trace additional accused persons and establish the complete network involved in the alleged cyber frauds. (JKNS)
