CBI launches ‘Operation Chakra-VI’, across India to nab cyber fraudsters involved in impersonating police officers, government officials and other law-enforcement authorities
STC JEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 05 (STC): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched ‘Operation Chakra-VI’, at 89 locations across 20 States with investigators focusing on networks allegedly involved in impersonating police officers, government officials and other law-enforcement authorities to intimidate victims and extort money.
According to the CBI, the three cases involved victims who were allegedly kept under “digital arrest” for prolonged periods and collectively defrauded of around ₹42.36 crore.
The agency said searches were conducted at 89 premises across 20 States and involved examination of financial and technical evidence, including bank accounts, transaction records, bank statements and digital devices.
During the searches, investigators recovered incriminating banking documents, account-related records, electronic devices and other digital evidence, which are being examined to identify additional members of the alleged syndicates and trace the flow of the defrauded funds, says reports quoting the agency sources.
The CBI said three accused persons were arrested during the course of the investigation after their alleged roles in receiving, layering and dispersing the fraud proceeds came to light.
The agency said the investigation is aimed at identifying the wider infrastructure behind the alleged Digital Arrest syndicates, including persons involved in impersonation, communicating with victims, collecting fraudulent payments and layering or transferring the proceeds.
Digital devices and financial records seized during the searches are being examined to establish the complete money trail and identify further persons allegedly connected with the networks.
Notably, the latest action follows directions from the Supreme Court of India for concerted efforts against perpetrators of Digital Arrest frauds and other organised cyber offences.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from Agencies)
