New Delhi — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday carried out searches at nearly 40 locations across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal in connection with a transnational, cyber-enabled “digital arrest” fraud case. The operation is part of the ongoing Operation Chakra-V.
The agency had earlier registered a comprehensive first information report (FIR) based on complaints received on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) from nine different victims of digital arrest. Following the FIR, CBI investigated both the mule bank accounts and telecommunications channels used to target victims.
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According to the agency, around 40 individuals were identified as part of the organized cyber-crime network behind the digital arrest fraud. In addition, a domestic facilitation network was uncovered that supplied mule bank accounts and enabled parallel “hawala” channels to layer and transfer proceeds of crime internationally.
Investigators found that a portion of the defrauded money was withdrawn in India, while the remainder was sent abroad and later withdrawn from foreign ATMs. A senior official stated, “Analysis of over 15,000 IP addresses revealed that perpetrators were operating from foreign locations, including Cambodia, using Indian mule accounts to layer and integrate illicit funds.”
The network supported high-value fund transfers through coordinated mules and money transfer agents. High-speed movement of money was facilitated using fintech infrastructure, allowing the perpetrators to execute transactions efficiently and at scale.
Digital devices, KYC documents, SIM cards, and WhatsApp communication archives seized during the searches are under examination. CBI officials said the analysis aims to establish end-to-end linkages between domestic facilitators and principal conspirators, map the modus operandi, track financial trails, and understand the communication infrastructure used in the fraud.
The agency emphasized that these raids not only aim to identify and apprehend the offenders but also to strengthen preventive measures against future digital crimes. Experts note that the case highlights the complexity of cyber-enabled financial fraud and the sophisticated methods employed by international criminal networks.
CBI officials said the operation reflects a coordinated approach to tackling cybercrime, demonstrating how domestic and international networks collaborate to exploit digital and financial infrastructure. The investigation underscores the importance of monitoring fintech channels and mule account systems to curb high-value fraudulent transactions.
