The Central Bureau of Investigation has dismantled three cyber fraud networks operating across India and abroad, arresting two key operatives and seizing ₹60 lakh in cash along with a large cache of digital evidence during coordinated searches at 35 locations spanning several states.
The nationwide action, carried out over the weekend, targeted online syndicates accused of duping Indian citizens and foreign nationals, including victims in the United States, through fake e-visa facilitation, overseas job offers and tech-enabled financial frauds. Officials said the operation marks one of the most extensive recent crackdowns on transnational cyber-enabled crime.
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Network One: Fake Kuwait e-visas and job offers
One of the dismantled networks was operating out of New Delhi, Ghaziabad and parts of Karnataka, using the domain name “eservicemoi-Kw” to project itself as a legitimate facilitator for Kuwait e-visas and employment opportunities. Investigators said victims were lured with promises of quick visas and lucrative overseas jobs, only to be cheated after payments were made.
During searches, teams recovered laptops, mobile phones and computer hard disks containing allegedly fake Kuwaiti e-visas and fabricated job appointment letters. From one of the locations, the CBI seized ₹60 lakh in cash believed to be proceeds of the crime. An alleged key operative, Suraj Srivastava, was arrested in connection with this network.
Network Two: US-focused cyber fraud
The second cyber fraud ring, operating primarily from New Delhi, targeted victims in the United States. Officials said the accused used sophisticated online methods to defraud individuals, with digital trails pointing to coordinated operations and impersonation tactics.
Searches led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices and digital storage media containing incriminating material linked to the fraud. The CBI arrested another alleged key operative, P Peter, from the spot. Investigators said the digital evidence is being analysed to identify additional victims, money trails and overseas collaborators.
Network Three: Fake identities, mule accounts
In its third operation, the agency cracked down on a cyber fraud network that targeted foreign nationals from India and abroad, using fake identities and multiple mule bank accounts to siphon off proceeds. Preliminary findings indicate that the accused exploited gaps in KYC processes to open and operate accounts used solely to launder stolen funds.
Officials said this network relied heavily on layering transactions across accounts and jurisdictions, making detection difficult. The dismantling of this ring is expected to yield further arrests as financial trails are reconstructed.
Pan-India searches, global coordination
CBI officials said searches were conducted across Maharashtra, New Delhi, Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and West Bengal, reflecting the geographic spread and coordination of the fraud syndicates.
The operation was carried out with assistance from international partners, including enforcement authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland and Singapore. Investigators confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Interpol provided crucial inputs during the probe, internally codenamed Operation Cystrike.
A senior official said the coordinated effort aimed to disrupt cyber crime networks that exploit technology, jurisdictional gaps and unsuspecting victims across borders.
‘Major disruption of cyber crime networks’
“The operation has resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of major transnational cyber-enabled financial crime networks,” an official said, adding that forensic analysis of seized devices is underway to identify additional operatives and beneficiaries.
What lies ahead
Investigators are now focused on victim identification, fund recovery and further arrests, while coordinating with foreign agencies to pursue leads outside India. Officials said chargesheets will be filed after completing digital forensics and financial analysis.
The crackdown underscores a growing enforcement push against online frauds that blend fake documentation, digital impersonation and cross-border money movement, with agencies warning the public to remain cautious of unsolicited visa and overseas job offers circulated online.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
