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Operation Chakra 2: CBI’s Latest Crackdown on Widespread Cyber Fraud Networks
Operation Chakra 2
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently launched Operation Chakra 2, a major crackdown targeting cyber-enabled financial crimes across India. This operation comes on the heels of a similar drive last year, Operation Chakra 1, which was aimed at curbing the growing menace of high-tech frauds and scams.
Overview
Sections | Details |
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Introduction |
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Case Details |
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Search Stats |
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International Collaboration |
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Modus Operandi |
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Significance |
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Previous Operation |
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Conclusion |
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Background of the Operation
The CBI registered five separate cases of cyber fraud before conducting searches across 76 locations in 11 states as part of Operation Chakra 2. The agency collaborated with national and international organizations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as private sector companies like Microsoft and Amazon for critical inputs related to these cases.
The operation is being seen as a coordinated effort by the premier investigation agency to clamp down on the network of organized cyber criminal gangs that dupe unsuspecting citizens of huge sums of money.
Details of the Operation
Cases Registered
Among the five cases registered by the CBI, two were based on complaints filed by Amazon and Microsoft respectively. The accused individuals were running fake call centers and impersonating the technical support teams of these companies to defraud foreign nationals.
Another major case pertained to a cryptocurrency mining scam that targeted Indian citizens and led to estimated losses of over Rs. 100 crores. The agency stated that the fraudsters created a fake website and cryptocurrency token under the guise of a crypto mining operation to lure victims into investing and minting cryptocurrencies for phenomenal returns.
Modus Operandi
The cyber criminals used clever tactics like sending pop-up messages to targets’ computers claiming software issues that required immediate fixing. When the victims called the toll-free numbers provided, the call centers directed them to pay large sums to purportedly repair the non-existent glitches.
In the cryptocurrency scam, the frauds gained the confidence of investors by initially providing returns. However, after sometime, payments completely stopped but the perpetrators had already amassed around Rs. 168 crores by then.
Searches Conducted
As part of the operation, the CBI searched call centers and other premises linked to the accused in Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and other states.
Around 32 mobile phones, 48 laptops/hard disks, 33 SIM cards, 2 server images, pen drives, and 15 email account dumps were seized during the searches. The agency also froze numerous bank accounts related to the collection, diversion and layering of the scam proceeds.
International Collaboration
The CBI is working jointly with international agencies like the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Interpol, the UK’s National Crime Agency, Germany’s BKA, and Singapore Police to unearth further leads and completely dismantle these transnational cybercrime networks.
Details of identified victims, money mules, shell firms, and other gang associates have been shared with the foreign organizations for prompt action.
Significance of the Operation
Operation Chakra 2 highlights the government’s commitment to curb cyber frauds, which have seen an exponential rise during the pandemic due to increased digitization.
The operation brings the culprits to book and thus acts as a deterrent for potential scammers while also spreading awareness among citizens about such predatory schemes.
Moreover, the active collaboration with global agencies reinforces India’s image of leading the fight against cybercrime which has huge security implications. It also opens doors for enhanced international police cooperation.
Previous Operation Chakra 1
In October 2022, the CBI had conducted Operation Chakra 1, along with Interpol, FBI, and police of multiple countries.
Searches were carried out at 115 locations across various Indian states during the last operation. Two call centers duping US and Canadian citizens through fake tech support scams were busted in Pune and Ahmedabad.
16 accused persons were arrested during the coordinated raids under Chakra 1. Thus, the CBI has been consistently cracking down on cyber fraud networks over the past year.
Final thoughts
Operation Chakra 2 is a major leap in India’s efforts to tackle organized cyber crimes that cost citizens and businesses huge sums annually. While Chakra 1 targeted tech support scams, the latest operation reveals the agency’s prowess in unearthing complex pan-India and international fraud networks spanning fake cryptocurrencies, deceitful call centers, shell firms, and hawala transactions.
The CBI has clearly upped the ante in collaborating with global agencies through Chakra 2. More such joint operations replicating the success of the Chakra series will go a long way in creating a safer digital ecosystem and boosting public confidence. However, citizens also need to remain vigilant of online scams at their end.