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In a major crackdown on the cybercrime infrastructure facilitating Digital Arrest scams, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searched more than 80 locations across the country over the past week in connection with 200-plus cases. It has arrested two accused so far — Naresh from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Sanjib Saha of Kolkata, West Bengal.
Under Operation Chakra-VI, the agency formed 60 special teams and conducted coordinated searches in 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 a targeted operational network involved in over 200 cases of digital arrest scams,” said the agency.
The arrested accused were involved in the incorporation of shell companies and the opening and operation of mule bank accounts. These accounts were used for laundering about ₹2 crore of suspected proceeds of crime, the CBI said.
Fraudulent website
Recently, the agency unearthed a fraudulent website with a URL deceptively similar to the official website of the Supreme Court. The fraudsters allegedly used the registered domain to defraud victims. Based on a complaint received from the Registry of the Supreme Court, the agency registered a case and launched an investigation.
“Leveraging advanced forensic tools and technical expertise, the CBI identified critical elements of the criminal infrastructure operating both within India and abroad. Investigation has revealed that the perpetrators uploaded forged documents, including fake orders resembling those issued by courts and various law enforcement agencies, to lend credibility to their fraudulent activities,” the central agency said.
During the searches, the CBI seized several incriminating documents, digital devices, phones and records relating to bank transactions. It found evidence indicating that several foreign nationals too may have been cheated by the same network. The law enforcement agencies of the jurisdictions concerned are being alerted through appropriate channels, the agency said.
Published – June 25, 2026 11:19 am IST
