CBI dismantles global cybercrime network, arrests 26 in multi-city operation

Hyderabad: In a multi-city operation the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested 26 persons from Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Pune who were involved in a notorious cyber crime racket.

The CBI successfully conducted a multi-city operation targeting a highly organized cyber crime network involved in fraudulent activities targeting victims globally. This operation has resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of a major transnational technology-enabled crime network.

On the basis of inputs on this organized cyber crime network, the International Operations Division of CBI registered a case on September 24 as part of ongoing Operation Chakra-III.

After launching an investigation, the CBI swiftly conducted coordinated searches at 32 different places across Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Visakhapatnam from the late evening of September 26.

During the searches, the agency was able to intercept 170 persons engaged in ongoing online criminal activities across four call centers at M/s V.C. Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd at Regent Plaza, Pune, M/s V.C. Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd, Murali Nagar, Visakhapatnam, M/s Viajex Solutions, Hyderabad, M/s Atriya Global Services Pvt. Ltd, Visakhapatnam.

CBI has so far placed under arrest 26 key accused persons -- of them 10 are from Pune, five are from Hyderabad, and 11 are from Visakhapatnam, while investigation and questioning on the role of other workers at these illegal call centres is ongoing.

The agency also seized critical digital evidence and incriminating material. Nine hundred and fifty one items have been seized, including electronic devices, mobile phones, laptops, financial information, communication records and incriminating material used by this cyber crime network for criminal activity and to defraud victims. Additionally, Rs 58.45 lakh in cash, locker keys, and three luxury vehicles have been recovered.

The cybercriminals targeted in this operation were involved in a range of illicit activities, including impersonating tech support services and approaching victims, especially in the USA under the guise that the victim’s systems have been hacked. Victims were made to believe that their identities had been stolen and that a large number of unauthorized transactions were being made in their bank accounts.

The victims were falsely made to believe that they were under surveillance of law enforcement agencies due to suspicious orders allegedly placed by them. The cyber criminals then induced victims to transfer their bank holdings into new bank accounts given by cyber criminals under the guise of safeguarding their finances.

In some instances, the cyber criminals intimidated victims into transfer funds to them through international gift cards or crypto currency. Extensive wrongful losses were incurred by victims targeted by this criminal network.

Investigations into the broader network and on international leads are ongoing in close coordination with HSI (USA) and other foreign law enforcement agencies. As part of larger ongoing Operation Chakra-III, International Operations Division of CBI has been rapidly identifying and taking action on organized technology enabled crime networks in close concert with INTERPOL and foreign law enforcement agencies.