CBI Raids 89 Locations in 20 States, Arrests Three Accused

DELHI। The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at 89 locations across 20 states against cybercriminals who defrauded people of crores of rupees in the name of digital arrest. Three accused have been arrested in this operation. The investigation revealed a total fraud amount exceeding Rs 42 crore.

Method of Fraud and Investigation

According to the CBI, in digital arrest cases, cybercriminals pose as police or government officials to intimidate victims. They then claim to hold the victims digitally in custody via video calls or phone calls and, in the name of investigation, get large sums transferred into their accounts. The investigation agency identified the accused's locations by scrutinizing bank accounts, online accounts, and technical details of money transactions.

The CBI has seized important evidence including banking documents, mobile phones, and digital devices. The agency is now working to find out which accounts received the defrauded money and who all are behind this entire network.

Three Major Cases and Roles of Arrested Accused

Actions were taken in three major cases. About Rs 1.95 crore was defrauded into the account of Akash, a resident of Haryana, who immediately transferred it to other accounts after opening the account himself. About Rs 1.5 crore was transferred into the account of Raja Karmakar’s firm in Kolkata. The third accused, Jyoti Rani, also had a share of the defrauded amount in her account, from which she withdrew some cash and transferred the rest to other accounts.

In a case related to BITS Pilani, the victim was kept under digital arrest for about three months and was defrauded of approximately Rs 7.67 crore by someone posing as a police officer. In a Karnataka case, the victim was kept under digital arrest for about a month and Rs 15.45 crore was defrauded from him.

CBI Action and Further Investigation

The CBI conducted simultaneous raids across the country under Operation Chakra-VI. The investigation agency is now searching for other accused connected to this entire network.

Taking digital arrest cases seriously, the Supreme Court has also directed the CBI to take coordinated action against such criminals and their networks.

Interrogation during the search revealed their special and important role in receiving the defrauded money, circulating it through multiple accounts, and forwarding it further

Bina Yadav, Spokesperson