NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), under Operation Chakra-V, has dismantled a sophisticated transnational cybercrime network operating from Noida, arresting key operative Nishant Walia, partner of a fraudulent call centre posing as technical support for multinational firms like Microsoft.
Live Scam Busted During SEZ Raid
On July 7, 2025, CBI agents launched coordinated raids at three Noida locations, including a fake tech support call centre operating from the Noida Special Economic Zone. Timed to coincide with the working hours in the UK and Australia, the raids interrupted ongoing scam calls, where foreign victims were being falsely told their devices were infected or compromised.
The fraudsters, impersonating support staff from global tech firms, coerced victims into granting remote access or making payments under false pretences. This operation was formally registered under case number RC 07/2025.
The fraudulent setup, operating under the name FirstIdea, used high-tech tools, including advanced caller-masking systems and deceptive scripts, to mask their location and mimic authenticity.
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International Cooperation and Key Seizures
The CBI collaborated with the FBI (USA), the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and Microsoft Corporation to uncover the operational layout and victim trail across jurisdictions. The inter-agency cooperation helped map out digital footprints and escalate enforcement action across borders.
Seized items during the raid include:
- Advanced VoIP calling infrastructure
- Fake user interface dashboards mimicking antivirus software
- Internal logs of overseas transactions and victim communications
- Identity documents and accounts linked to the criminal proceeds
The arrested suspect, Nishant Walia, partner in FirstIdea, is being produced before the Special CBI Court in Delhi today, July 8. Sources indicate more arrests are likely as investigations expand into money laundering and digital payment trails.
The CBI reaffirmed its focus on cybercrime enforcement under Operation Chakra-V, an umbrella initiative aimed at dismantling international tech fraud networks.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change