New Delhi: In a major crackdown on the cybercrime infrastructure facilitating digital arrest scams, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), under Operation Chakra-VI, constituted 60 special teams and conducted coordinated searches at more than 80 locations across 16 states: Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Karnataka, and Odisha.

The searches were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation aimed at dismantling an organized network allegedly involved in over 200 digital arrest scam cases. The CBI arrested two persons from Chennai and Kolkata for their alleged involvement in incorporating shell companies and opening and operating mule bank accounts. According to the agency, these accounts were used to launder approximately Rs 2 crore in suspected proceeds of crime.

The agency said that it had recently unearthed a fraudulent website bearing a URL deceptively similar to the official website of the Supreme Court of India. The fraudsters allegedly used this fraudulently registered domain to deceive victims under the guise of digital arrest. Based on a complaint received from the Registry of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the CBI registered an FIR and commenced an investigation into the matter.

Leveraging advanced forensic tools and technical expertise, the CBI identified critical elements of the criminal infrastructure operating both within India and abroad. The investigation has revealed that the perpetrators uploaded forged and fabricated documents, including fake orders resembling those issued by courts and various law enforcement agencies, to lend credibility to their fraudulent activities.

During the searches, several incriminating documents, digital devices, mobile phones, and records relating to bank transactions were seized. These materials are being subjected to detailed forensic examination and analysis. DeshGujarat