CBI raids 80+ locations in 16 states under Operation Chakra-VI, arrests two
Synopsis
The CBI's Operation Chakra-VI has exposed a digital arrest scam network spanning 16 states — complete with a fake Supreme Court website designed to terrorise victims into compliance. With 80-plus locations raided, two arrests made, and international victims potentially involved, this is one of the largest coordinated cybercrime crackdowns India has seen.
Key Takeaways
The CBI conducted searches at more than 80 locations across 16 states on 25 June under Operation Chakra-VI .
60 special teams were deployed; the operation targets a network linked to more than 200 digital arrest fraud cases .
Two individuals were arrested from Chennai and Kolkata for allegedly running shell companies and mule bank accounts used to launder around ₹2 crore .
A fraudulent website mimicking the Supreme Court of India 's official URL was uncovered; an FIR was registered following a complaint from the Supreme Court Registry .
Forged court orders and fake law-enforcement documents were recovered; digital devices and bank records have been seized for forensic analysis.
International victims are suspected; the CBI is sharing intelligence with foreign law enforcement agencies.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in a sweeping crackdown on digital arrest scam networks, conducted coordinated searches at more than 80 locations across 16 states on 25 June under Operation Chakra-VI. The agency deployed 60 special teams to dismantle an organised cybercrime network linked to more than 200 cases of digital arrest fraud.
Scale of the Operation
Searches were carried out simultaneously in Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Karnataka, and Odisha. The breadth of the sweep signals that investigators believe the network has deep geographical roots across India.
Two individuals were arrested — one each from Chennai and Kolkata — for their alleged roles in setting up shell companies and operating mule bank accounts. These accounts were reportedly used to launder approximately ₹2 crore in suspected proceeds of crime.
The Fake Supreme Court Website
Among the most alarming findings was a fraudulent website whose URL was deceptively similar to the official website of the Supreme Court of India. According to officials, fraudsters allegedly used this fake domain to impersonate legal authority and intimidate victims under the guise of digital arrest threats.
The CBI registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) after receiving a complaint directly from the Registry of the Supreme Court. Investigators subsequently identified the broader cybercriminal infrastructure, which was found to be operating both within India and in foreign jurisdictions.
Evidence Seized and Forensic Examination
During the searches, officials recovered digital devices, mobile phones, and bank transaction records, all of which have been seized and sent for forensic examination. Investigators found that the accused had uploaded forged documents — including fake court orders and materials resembling official law enforcement communications — to lend false legitimacy to their scam operations.
International Dimension and What Comes Next
The probe has revealed that victims may include not only Indian citizens but also individuals from several other countries. Relevant intelligence is being shared with international law enforcement agencies through appropriate channels. Officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests remain possible as more links in the network are identified.
This is the sixth iteration of Operation Chakra, the CBI's recurring task-force framework targeting transnational cybercrime, underscoring how digital arrest scams have become a persistent and escalating threat to Indian consumers.
Point of View
Yet digital arrest scams continue to proliferate — a sign that enforcement alone is not closing the vulnerability gap. The discovery of a fake Supreme Court website is particularly troubling: it suggests fraudsters are now targeting institutional credibility itself, exploiting the public's deference to judicial authority. The international dimension adds complexity; coordination with foreign agencies is slow by design, and transnational cybercrime networks exploit that lag. The real question is whether these raids disrupt the network's command layer or merely clip its edges, as prior Chakra operations have shown that mule-account operators are quickly replaced when the financial infrastructure remains intact.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Chakra-VI?
Operation Chakra-VI is a CBI-led enforcement action targeting transnational cybercrime networks involved in digital arrest scams. It is the sixth edition of the CBI's Operation Chakra framework and involved 60 special teams raiding more than 80 locations across 16 Indian states on 25 June.
What is a digital arrest scam?
A digital arrest scam is a form of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers or judicial authorities and falsely claim that the victim is under 'digital arrest' — threatening legal action unless a payment is made. In this case, fraudsters allegedly used a fake Supreme Court website to make their threats appear credible.
Who was arrested and what is their alleged role?
Two individuals were arrested — one from Chennai and one from Kolkata — for allegedly creating shell companies and operating mule bank accounts used to launder approximately ₹2 crore in suspected proceeds of crime.
What evidence did the CBI recover during the raids?
Investigators seized digital devices, mobile phones, and bank transaction records. They also found forged documents including fake court orders and materials resembling official law enforcement communications, all reportedly used to legitimise the fraud.
Are foreign nationals among the victims?
According to officials, the investigation has indicated that individuals from several countries beyond India may also have been targeted. The CBI is sharing relevant intelligence with international law enforcement agencies through appropriate channels, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
