CBI raids 89 locations in 20 states to dismantle digital arrest rackets

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a coordinated crackdown on organised 'digital arrest' fraud syndicates, conducting searches at 89 locations across 20 states. The action, part of Operation Chakra-VI, led to the arrest of three individuals linked to three separate extortion cases.

The searches were driven by detailed financial and technical analysis, including the examination of bank accounts and online access data. The agency's objective was to trace the proceeds of fraud and identify the beneficiaries and handlers operating these cross-state networks.

One case involved a BITS Pilani victim who was kept under 'digital arrest' for three months and extorted of ₹7.67 crore by individuals posing as police officers. In another instance, a Gujarat resident was similarly trapped and forced to pay ₹19.24 crore over three months. A third victim in Karnataka was coerced into paying ₹15.45 crore within a single month.

During the operation, the CBI seized banking documents, account records, digital devices, and other evidence, which are now undergoing forensic examination to map the financial and technological infrastructure of these syndicates.

The three arrested individuals were found to have played specific roles in laundering the fraud proceeds. Akash, a Haryana resident, allegedly received ₹1.95 crore into an account he opened himself, transferring the funds onward the same day. Raja Karmakar of Kolkata received ₹1.5 crore in his firm's account, while Jyoti Rani withdrew a portion of the defrauded sum in cash and transferred the remainder to other accounts.

The agency stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accused persons involved in the wider network. The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to take concerted action against such perpetrators, noting the alarming scale of these crimes.