Jaipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it carried out coordinated searches at over 80 locations, including in Rajasthan, as part of a nationwide crackdown on organised cybercrime networks behind digital arrest scams. The raids, conducted under Operation Chakra-VI, were aimed at dismantling infrastructure allegedly used to facilitate over 200 cases of cyber fraud across the country.The agency constituted 60 special teams for simultaneous searches across Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Karnataka and Odisha. Two alleged members of the network were arrested in Chennai and Kolkata.According to CBI, the arrested accused were involved in incorporating shell companies and opening and operating mule bank accounts that were allegedly used to launder nearly Rs 2 crore in suspected proceeds of crime generated through digital arrest scams.The crackdown follows an investigation into a fake website with a URL deceptively similar to the official website of the Supreme Court. Fraudsters allegedly used the domain to convince victims that they were under investigation and extort money under the guise of “digital arrest”. The CBI registered an FIR after receiving a complaint from the Supreme Court Registry.Investigators said forensic analysis helped identify key elements of a criminal network operating within India as well as overseas. The accused allegedly uploaded forged court orders and fabricated documents purportedly issued by courts and law enforcement agencies to lend credibility to their threats and deceive victims.Searches led to the seizure of digital devices, mobile phones, incriminating documents and bank transaction records, all of which are being subjected to forensic examination.The agency also said preliminary findings indicate that the network may have targeted not only Indian citizens but also victims in several other countries. Information is being shared with foreign law enforcement agencies through appropriate channels.The investigation is continuing, with the CBI focusing on dismantling the financial and technological infrastructure supporting digital arrest scams and other cyber-enabled frauds.
