How did the CBI capture cyber criminals in Gujarat and Kerala?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBI arrests three individuals involved in digital fraud.
- Operation Chakra-V targets transnational cybercriminals.
- Evidence collected includes digital devices and communication records.
- $66,340 was recovered during the operation.
- Ongoing collaboration with international agencies ensures a robust approach to cybercrime.
New Delhi, Oct 14 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended two cyber criminals in Gujarat and one in Kerala as part of its initiative Operation Chakra-V, aimed at combating digital arrest frauds, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday.
The arrests were executed after the CBI retrieved vital digital and documentary evidence that confirmed the suspects' significant involvement in the fraud scheme, the official stated.
The individuals were reportedly engaged in offering domestic facilitation services, including financial support, to fraudsters operating from various locations, including foreign countries, it elaborated.
This operation is a continuation of CBI’s relentless pursuit to dismantle global cyber-enabled networks that perpetrate extensive financial fraud against Indian nationals.
The captured suspects were presented before the appropriate local courts in Kerala and Gujarat. Following the acquisition of transit warrants, they were subsequently transported to Delhi and presented in front of the Special CBI Court, as noted in the official release.
The arrests occurred after the CBI conducted extensive nationwide searches at approximately 40 locations across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal last week.
These searches resulted in the discovery of critical evidence, including digital devices, KYC documents, SIM cards, and communication records, which unveiled an organized domestic facilitation network that supports a syndicate of foreign-based cybercriminals.
A CBI spokesperson emphasized that the agency remains dedicated to fighting cyber-enabled financial crimes through ongoing intelligence-driven operations, coordination among different agencies, and the application of advanced digital forensics to address intricate transnational fraud networks.
Last week, the CBI announced its active participation in Operation HAECHI-VI, initiated by Interpol, which targets seven specific crime types, including cyber-enabled financial crime, voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, money laundering linked to illegal online gambling, and business email compromise.
During Operation HAECHI-VI, the CBI’s International Operations Division collaborated closely with the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and German authorities, leading to the arrest of eight offenders and the identification of 45 suspects involved in transnational cyber crimes and sexual offenses against minors online.
The operation led to the recovery of $66,340 and the freezing of 30 bank accounts implicated in the crimes, according to the agency's press release.
Utilizing operational insights from the FBI, the CBI detained two offenders who were targeting minor girls in the US via social media platforms, coercing those minors into sharing explicit images and videos.