CBI Conducts Raids in Delhi, Nabs Key Suspects in Transnational Rs. 117 crore Cyber Fraud Case.
Delhi:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today carried out raids at 10 locations across Delhi and its surrounding areas as part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale transnational cyber-enabled financial fraud. The investigation, which was launched after a complaint from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, reveals that organized cybercriminals and foreign actors have been targeting victims in India with fraudulent schemes.
The CBI has registered the case under Sections 403, 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000. According to the complaint, fraudsters operating from overseas have been luring individuals through online platforms such as websites, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The criminals promise high returns on investments or offer fake part-time jobs and task-based schemes. Victims’ funds are rapidly funneled through a complex network of “mule accounts” to obscure their origin and eventually withdrawn abroad via ATMs or fintech platforms, often disguised as legitimate transactions.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that fraudsters siphoned off approximately Rs. 117 crores between January and October 2023, based on 3,903 complaints filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The stolen funds were primarily withdrawn in Dubai and other locations in the UAE. A total of 3,295 Indian bank accounts were identified in the fraudulent transactions, with funds also being funneled into cryptocurrency purchases.
During today’s raids, the CBI seized electronic devices and financial records from the premises of 10 individuals suspected of involvement in the fraud. The investigation continues to identify additional members of the syndicate and trace the flow of illicit funds.
The CBI has urged citizens to remain cautious when engaging with online offers, particularly those promising quick financial gains, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies immediately.
