Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) In a major operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has busted a sophisticated virtual asset and bullion-supported cybercrime network with raids in Mumbai and Kolkata.
The cybercrime syndicate has been targeting victims in different countries since 2022, and the CBI-FBI operation has led to the arrest of one from Mumbai, identified as Vishnu Rathi.
Following a complaint, the CBI’s CBI’s International Operations Division lodged a case on September 9 (2024) against the key accused Rathi and others, and initiated a thorough probe into the scam.
According to the CBI, the accused Rathi had allegedly conspired to target a U.S. woman citizen by gaining unauthorised remote access to her computer and bank accounts.
They attempted to lure the U.S. citizen under the pretext of offering tech support services and then falsely informed her that her bank account had been ‘compromised’.
Claiming her bank account funds were at risk due to the hacking, they allegedly manipulated her to transfer USD 453,953 (nearly Rs 3.81 crore) to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by them, before disappearing.
After the case was registered, the CBI raided multiple locations believed to be linked with Rathi and seized substantial incriminating evidence.
The searches were carried out at seven locations in Mumbai and Kolkata on September 12 and 13, and the CBI sleuths uncovered details of how the transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes network was channelling proceeds of crime through virtual assets and bullion.
From Rathi’s Mumbai residence, the CBI recovered 57 gold bars of 100 gms each (5.70 kgs, valued at several crores of rupees), plus cash of Rs 16 lakhs, mobiles and laptops used to manage the cryptocurrencies, details of bank lockers, documents and other damning material.
The CBI-FBI collaboration, as well as similar joint probes with enforcement agencies worldwide, was through the Interpol tips and follow up on leads, etc.
‘Operation CHAKRA-III’ as it is called, is intended to combat and dismantle organised cyber-enabled financial crime syndicates through a globally coordinated law enforcement response leveraging the Interpol channels.
Rathi has been charged under IPS Sections 120-B, 420, and IT Act Sec. 66D and 75, and further investigations are underway to identify other victims and trace the proceeds of the crimes.
–IANS
qn/dan
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
