Latest news with #Chakra-V
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
How a cyber scam from India fooled foreigners - CBI recovers Rs 3 crore
In a major bust under its ongoing cybercrime crackdown initiative 'Chakra-V', the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a sophisticated transnational cyber fraud syndicate operating out of India. While the victims were largely based in the United States and Canada, the financial traces—and lessons—run deep into India's digital ecosystem. What happened? The cybercriminal group was allegedly posing as government officials and tech support agents from reputed global companies. Their primary tactic? Social engineering—using psychological manipulation to trick individuals into revealing confidential information or making payments. Using tools that masked caller identities and generated fake leads, the syndicate reached out to unsuspecting victims abroad and ran well-scripted scams. What did the CBI find? During searches at three locations, CBI seized: ₹2.8 crore worth of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) like cryptocurrencies, ₹22 lakh in unaccounted cash, And high-tech equipment used for spoof calls and fraud operations. One person has been arrested and is now facing trial in a special CBI court. "Acting on actionable intelligence developed during the investigation, CBI conducted these searches and uncovered incriminating evidence busting the operation of a group engaged in transnational cyber fraud. The seized materials include tools for making international calls with masked caller identity, a lead-generation mechanism based on social engineering tactics, voice recordings, and other components of the cybercrime ecosystem," CBI said in a statement on Wednesday. How the Syndicate Operated Spoofed Caller IDs & Social Engineering Tools Investigators seized devices that masked caller IDs—making fraudsters appear as legitimate figures like tech support or law enforcement. They used scripted approaches (voice recordings) to build credibility Lead Generation Mechanisms These fraudsters likely used data-mining techniques—harvesting contact details through online platforms, phishing, or purchased lists—to identify potential victims abroad . International Impersonation Scam Victims received calls from people claiming to be US/Canadian government or tech company officials. Under pretexts like stolen data or compromised accounts, scammers coerced victims into transferring money or granting remote access. This tactic closely mirrors those described in previous Chakra-II and Chakra-IV busts, where fraudsters used remote-access scams to manipulate victims into unwittingly enabling transfers to cryptocurrency wallets. What this means for you? Anyone Can Be a Target Unlike past operations targeting mostly the Indian diaspora abroad, this scam highlights how digital impersonation scams can affect Indian residents—especially those using global payment methods or crypto wallets. Crypto Doesn't Guarantee Anonymity The fact that the CBI immediately identified and seized ₹2.8 crore in crypto confirms that blockchain transactions are traceable and not as anonymous as commonly believed. Digital Hygiene Is Critical Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated—using spoofed numbers, real-sounding scripts, and international coordination to appear legitimate. Never share OTPs, passwords, or remote access credentials. Always verify independently. Cross-Border Crime Needs Cross-Border Action Coordination through Interpol Silver Notices, partnerships with the FBI, and initiatives like BHARATPOL mean Indian cybercriminals can no longer count on safe havens. Victim investigations, asset recoveries, and prosecutions are increasingly global. "This operation reflects CBI's firm resolve under the 'Chakra-V' initiative to tackle cyber-enabled financial crimes through thorough, evidence-based investigation and bring perpetrators to justice," read the CBI statement. Takeaways: Segment digital wallets—don't keep all assets in one place
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
CBI arrests cyber criminal, seizes Rs 2.8 crore of cryptocurrencies
The CBI on Wednesday said it has arrested a person as part of a crackdown on a cybercrime racket targeting unsuspecting individuals in the USA and Canada by impersonating government officials and tech support executives. The accused, Rahul Arora , was arrested during searches conducted at three locations on Tuesday, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) spokesperson said in a statement. Cryptocurrencies worth Rs 2.8 crore along with unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 22 lakh were seized from his possession, it said. The action was part of an ongoing CBI operation against cyber criminals -- 'Chakra-V'. The CBI had registered a case in the matter after receiving information about the racket which was targeting "unsuspecting individuals in the USA and Canada by impersonating... government officials and representatives of reputed tech support companies", the spokesperson said. The CBI worked on the information by developing intelligence on the activities of the gang members, followed by searches at their premises. Live Events The searches resulted in the seizure of incriminating evidence about the gang's operation, including tools for making international calls with masked caller identity, a lead-generation mechanism based on social engineering tactics, voice recordings and other components of the cybercrime ecosystem, the agency said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories "Notably, the CBI has developed in-house capabilities for handling and seizure of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) as part of its technology-driven approach for combating cybercrime. "The agency has also put in place necessary systems for the management of such assets as per legal provisions. The CBI has been successfully detecting and seizing VDAs in its various search operations," the spokesperson said.
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
CBI busts cybercrime racket: Recovers ₹2.8 crore cryptocurrencies; one arrested
As part of its ongoing crackdown on cybercrime under the 'Chakra-V' operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out raids at three different locations. The CBI seized crime proceeds in the form of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) valued at ₹ 2.8 crore, along with unaccounted cash worth ₹ 22 lakh from the suspect's possession. One individual has been arrested in connection with the case and is being presented before the Special CBI Court. Importantly, the CBI has developed in-house expertise for handling and seizing VDAs as part of its tech-driven strategy to fight cybercrime. The agency has also implemented systems to manage these digital assets in line with legal requirements and has been consistently detecting and confiscating VDAs in multiple operations, said the release.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
CBI busts cyber fraud syndicate, Rs 2.8 crore crypto, Rs 22 lakh cash seized
In a major crackdown under its ongoing anti-cybercrime operation Chakra-V, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted an international cyber fraud syndicate targeting victims in the US and Canada. The agency conducted searches at three locations, leading to the seizure of crucial digital evidence and the arrest of one FIR was registered based on credible inputs about a syndicate impersonating government officials and tech support executives to defraud foreign nationals. Acting on intelligence inputs, the CBI unearthed tools used for international spoofed calls, social engineering-based lead generation systems, and voice recordings — all key elements of the scam's investigators recovered Rs 2.8 crore worth of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) and Rs 22 lakh in unaccounted cash. Rahul Arora, a key suspect in the racket, has been arrested and is being produced before the Special CBI Court. Highlighting its tech-forward strategy, the CBI confirmed it has developed in-house capabilities for identifying, seizing, and managing VDAs in line with legal provisions — a move that has strengthened its cybercrime response in recent the investigating agency had arrested four people, two each from Mumbai and Moradabad - in a 'digital arrest' case where the victim was extorted 42 times over three months to the tune of Rs 7.67 arrests were made following a search operation across 12 locations in April this year as part of Operation Chakra-V, the CBI's initiative to dismantle cybercrime networks. Must Watch
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
CBI busts cybercrime racket: Recovers ₹2.8 crore cryptocurrencies; one arrested
As part of its ongoing crackdown on cybercrime under the 'Chakra-V' operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out raids at three different locations. The CBI seized crime proceeds in the form of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) valued at ₹ 2.8 crore, along with unaccounted cash worth ₹ 22 lakh from the suspect's possession. One individual has been arrested in connection with the case and is being presented before the Special CBI Court. Importantly, the CBI has developed in-house expertise for handling and seizing VDAs as part of its tech-driven strategy to fight cybercrime. The agency has also implemented systems to manage these digital assets in line with legal requirements and has been consistently detecting and confiscating VDAs in multiple operations, said the release. (This is a developing story)
