Global Cyber Crime Ring Busted in Joint Operation by CBI and FBI

The CBI, in association with the FBI and INTERPOL, apprehended 43 individuals linked to a global cyber-enabled financial crime network during Operation CHAKRA-III. The sophisticated network has been active across multiple countries since 2022.

In a significant breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with the FBI and international law enforcement agencies through INTERPOL, has arrested 43 suspects as part of Operation CHAKRA-III. This initiative aimed at dismantling a complex cyber-enabled financial crime network that has been active across several countries since 2022, the CBI disclosed in an official release.

The CBI's International Operations Division initiated the case on July 22, 2024, targeting offences related to cheating and online fraud. The investigation led to searches at seven locations, including Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida. Revealing details, officials stated that the transnational cyber financial crimes were being orchestrated from various distributed centers, primarily driven by a Call Centre in DLF Cyber City, Gurugram.

During the searches, law enforcement intercepted ongoing cyber-criminal activities and gathered crucial evidence. The teams have confiscated 130 computer hard disks, 65 mobile phones, 5 laptops, along with incriminating documents, financial transaction details, call recordings, victim details, and scripts used for duping victims. The criminals had impersonated entities to lure victims into downloading malicious software via Pop-Ups and subsequently syphoned off funds. The investigation revealed that the illicit earnings were funneled through multiple countries to Hong Kong. The investigation is continuing.

(With inputs from agencies.)