CBI raids 80 locations across 16 states in massive digital arrest crackdown

In a major nationwide crackdown on cybercrime syndicates, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched "Operation Chakra-VI" on Thursday, executing coordinated raids at over 80 locations spanning 16 states. The federal agency deployed 60 specialized operational teams to target and dismantle organized criminal networks responsible for orchestrating pervasive "digital arrest" scams. The extensive searches were carried out across various states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, following a surge in cyber fraud cases across the country.

The targeted operation was initiated to break a deeply entrenched network linked to over 200 registered cases of digital arrest frauds. During the multi-state raids, the CBI took two key conspirators into custody from Chennai and Kolkata. The arrested individuals are accused of actively setting up illicit shell companies and managing a complex web of "mule" bank accounts. Investigators revealed that these compromised bank accounts were strategically utilized to launder and siphon off nearly ₹2 crore in illicit proceeds generated from unsuspecting victims.

A pivotal breakthrough in the investigation revealed that the syndicate had developed a fraudulent website with a URL designed to deceptively mimic the official portal of the Supreme Court of India. Using this counterfeit domain, the fraudsters issued forged court orders, fake arrest warrants, and fabricated legal notices under the guise of statutory law enforcement agencies. This deceptive infrastructure allowed them to psychologically manipulate victims into believing they were under official digital custody until they agreed to transfer large sums of money.