The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in a digital arrest scam in which a Gujarat resident was defrauded of Rs 11.4 crore over three months.
The arrests were made in New Delhi following coordinated searches at 22 locations across 10 states under Operation Chakra-VI, the agency’s ongoing operation against organised cybercrime networks.
According to officials, the victim was coerced into transferring money by fraudsters impersonating police personnel and officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The CBI identified the accused, Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas, as key operatives allegedly responsible for receiving, routing and distributing the proceeds of cyber fraud.
Investigators found that Rs 2.5 crore of the defrauded amount was routed through the bank account of Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd before being transferred to multiple accounts allegedly linked to the network.
During the searches, the agency seized digital devices, banking documents and account records. A forensic examination of the devices reportedly revealed the accused’s alleged involvement in managing mule bank accounts and using malicious APK files to facilitate cyber fraud.
The CBI also recovered incriminating chats and other digital evidence that are being analysed to establish the wider operations of the syndicate.
The investigation is underway to trace the remaining funds, identify other members of the network and uncover the full extent of its alleged cybercrime activities.
