CBI arrests cyber criminal on FBI input; 57 gold bars, Rs 16 lakh seized during searches

Mumbai: In a major swoop, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, has busted a sophisticated virtual asset and bullion-supported cybercrime network with a series of raids in Mumbai and Kolkata and arrested of one person.

The bust was carried out as part of the Operation CHAKRA-III, aimed to dismantle a sophisticated virtual asset and bullion supported cyber crime network that has been targeting victims in foreign countries since 2022.

Following a complaint, the International Operations Division (IOD) of the CBI, registered a case against Vishnu Rathi (57), who is based in Mumbai.

Cases were registered under sections 120-B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as Section 66D read with 75 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and an investigation was launched.

“It was alleged that accused individuals, between June and August 2022, conspired to target a US citizen by gaining unauthorized remote access to the victim’s computer and bank account. It was also alleged that under the pretext of offering tech support services, they falsely informed the US based victim that her bank account had been compromised. Claiming that the funds were at risk, they, allegedly, manipulated the victim into transferring $453,953 to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by them,” the CBI said on Saturday following two days of raids in seven locations in Mumbai and Pune.

During search at the residential premises of Rathigold bars of 100 gm each, cash amount of Rs 16,00,000, mobile phone, laptop used to manage crypto currencies, details of lockers and other incriminating documents were recovered,” it said.

The CBI is coordinating with FBI and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries through INTERPOL for follow up on leads.