CBI Raids 10 States and Arrests Two in ₹11.42 Crore Gujarat Digital Arrest Fraud
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested two men and raided 22 locations across 10 States as part of its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime syndicates under Operation Chakra-VI. The ongoing investigation centres on an extensive digital arrest fraud in Gujarat where a victim was held under online detention for three months.
The operation targeted financial intermediaries accused of laundering extortion money obtained through elaborate online impersonation schemes. Investigators allege the syndicate operated by posing as law enforcement and telecommunications regulators to coerce targets into transferring large sums.
Arrests and Corporate Account Layering
The federal agency arrested Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas following coordinated raids conducted over the weekend. According to the CBI, the two suspects allegedly used the corporate bank account of M/s Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd to channel ₹2.5 crore out of the total ₹11.42 crore defrauded from the Gujarat victim.
Investigators stated that the suspects actively participated in transferring the siphoned funds onward to multiple accomplice accounts with the deliberate intent of obscuring the money trail. Officials reported that both men were involved in deploying K files and managing bank accounts specifically set up to siphon off proceeds generated through digital arrest rackets and related cybercrimes.
Digital Seizures and Modus Operandi
During the searches spanning 10 States, agents seized incriminating banking documents, account-related records, and various digital devices. According to the agency, a forensic examination of the seized equipment uncovered several incriminating chat logs, messages, and documents.
The underlying extortion scheme involved criminals posing as police officers and officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Victims subjected to these scams are typically confined through video calls and intimidation until they capitulate to financial demands, prompting intervention from federal authorities following directives from the Supreme Court.
Nationwide Crackdown and Judicial Directives
The nationwide sweep forms part of the broader Operation Chakra-VI initiative aimed at dismantling organized cybercrime infrastructure. The CBI stated that the Supreme Court previously took judicial note of the surging scale of digital arrest extortion schemes and directed federal agencies to take concerted action against perpetrators and supporting financial networks.
Over the past 30 days, the agency has executed coordinated searches at 142 locations across 22 states, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals in connection with four distinct digital arrest investigations. Law enforcement efforts remain focused on identifying remaining network handlers and recovering additional proceeds of crime before evidence can be destroyed.