Summary of this article
CBI, with FBI, targeted transnational tech-support cybercrime network.
Three main suspects apprehended; scam valued at $40M (Rs 350 crore).
Illegal call centre raided; digital evidence and assets seized.
A major cybercrime syndicate accused of defrauding American citizens of nearly $40 million (over Rs 350 crore) has been dismantled through a joint effort between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Embassy in India said in a recent update.
In a post on X, the U.S. Embassy stated that the CBI, in coordination with the FBI, had targeted a cybercrime network accused of defrauding U.S. citizens of nearly $40 million, which is more than Rs 350 crore, through tech-support scams and arrested key figures involved. It also mentioned that both agencies are collaborating to disrupt such networks and prevent similar scams in the future.
It said: “A big week for U.S.-India law enforcement collaboration. India’s CBI, in close coordination with the U.S. FBI, dismantled a transnational cybercrime syndicate that defrauded U.S. nationals of nearly $40M through tech-support scams and arrested key figures behind the cyber fraud network.”
The investigation uncovered a large-scale scam targeting U.S. citizens, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of significant evidence during raids in India.
According to a PTI report, the CBI had earlier outlined the operation, stating that it targeted a sophisticated cybercrime group which allegedly defrauded U.S. citizens of more than Rs 350 crore since 2023. Authorities arrested three primary suspects, Jigar Ahmed, Yash Khurana and Inder Jeet Singh Bali, during the crackdown.
The action followed an FIR registered on August 18, with raids launched two days later in Amritsar and Delhi in close coordination with the FBI, the report said. Investigators seized Rs 54 lakh in cash, eight mobile phones, laptops and other digital evidence from the accused.
As per the report, the accused allegedly gained unauthorised remote access to victims’ computer systems and bank accounts by posing as tech-support executives. The suspects reportedly tricked U.S. citizens into believing their finances were at risk and persuaded them to transfer money to cryptocurrency wallets under the syndicate’s control.
During the searches, the CBI dismantled an illegal call centre named ‘Digikaps The Future of Digital’ in Amritsar, intercepting 34 people engaged in ongoing criminal activities. The raids resulted in the seizure of 85 hard drives, 16 laptops, and 44 mobile phones containing evidence. The investigation into the broader network, proceeds of cybercrime, and international links is still ongoing, it added.
The investigation into the broader network, proceeds of crime, and international links is still ongoing.
