The CBI team, flown in from New Delhi, arrived discreetly in two vehicles on Wednesday afternoon. Within minutes, they sealed off the premises and launched a 12-hour-long intensive search and interrogation drive. Sources said at least 70 laptops were seized allegedly used to run large-scale scams impersonating international businesses and government bodies.
As the operation unfolded behind closed doors, employees were grilled for hours while forensic experts sifted through devices for digital trails. Investigators believe the call center was part of a wider cyber fraud racket aimed at deceiving unsuspecting victims overseas through fake tech support and financial service calls.
International Cyber Scam Targeting Japanese Citizens
Preliminary investigation suggests the gang was involved in cyber frauds targeting Japanese citizens. The fraudsters allegedly sent malicious messages to users’ devices, warning them of cyber threats. Under the pretense of offering protection, they extracted sensitive banking information and later siphoned off funds from victims’ accounts.
Sources also revealed that individuals from other Indian states and foreign countries are connected to this cross-border cybercrime network.
Local Police Unaware of Operation
Interestingly, senior officers in the Varanasi Police Commissionerate claimed they were not informed of the CBI raid. Police Commissioner stated that while no CBI officials contacted them directly, local police have been instructed to provide assistance if requested.
Long Interrogation, Large Seizure
The CBI team continued questioning the operators till late night and seized around 70 laptops, which will undergo forensic examination. These devices are believed to contain crucial evidence pointing to international fraudulent activities and illegal financial transactions.
The case is part of a broader effort by central agencies to dismantle cybercrime syndicates operating from India but targeting foreign nationals, especially in Japan, Europe, and North America.
About the author – Ayush Chaurasia is a postgraduate student passionate about cybersecurity, threat hunting, and global affairs. He explores the intersection of technology, psychology, national security, and geopolitics through insightful writing