CBI arrests 26 cyber criminals in federal raids

NEW DELHI, September 30: As part of a nationwide crackdown on organized cybercrime, the CBI has arrested 26 suspected cybercriminals involved in fraudulent activities against people across the world, officials said on Monday.

The operation under Operation Chakra-III began late Thursday evening with raids at 32 different locations in Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam. The central agency seized cash worth Rs 58.45 lakh, locker keys and three luxury vehicles, it said.

Four call centers – VC Inconformities Pvt. Ltd at Regent Plaza, Pune; VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd, Murli Nagar, Visakhapatnam; Viajex Solutions, Hyderabad; and Atriya Global Services Pvt. Ltd, Visakhapatnam – were among the places searched by the agency.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intercepted 170 people involved in live online crime activities from the four call centers, the officials said.

“The cybercriminals targeted in this operation were involved in a range of illegal activities, including impersonating technical support and contacting victims, particularly in the US, under the pretext that the victim’s systems had been hacked,” a CBI said spokesman in a statement.

He said the victims were convinced by the criminals that their identities had been stolen and that a large number of unauthorized transactions had been made in their bank accounts.

The scammers told victims that they were being monitored by the investigative authorities of their respective countries, he added.

“The cybercriminals then caused the victims to transfer their bank balances to new bank accounts that cybercriminals had given them under the guise of protecting their finances.”

“In some cases, the cybercriminals intimidated victims into transferring money to them via international gift cards or cryptocurrencies. The victims of this criminal network suffered significant unlawful losses,” the statement said.

So far, the CBI has arrested 10 cybercriminals from Pune, five from Hyderabad and 11 from Visakhapatnam. Further investigations and interviews into the role of other employees in these illegal call centers are underway, it said.

“These operations resulted in the seizure of critical digital evidence and incriminating material. “951 items were seized, including electronic devices, mobile phones, laptops, financial information, communication records and incriminating material used by this cybercrime network for criminal activities and to defraud victims,” the spokesperson said.

This operation resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of a large transnational technology-enabled crime network, he said. (AGENCIES)