CBI raids 89 locations across 20 states in digital arrest cases, 3 arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a nationwide crackdown on digital arrest syndicates, conducting searches at 89 locations across 20 states in three major cases under Operation Chakra-VI. The agency also arrested three people involved in receiving, layering and dispersing money defrauded from victims.The action comes amid growing concern over digital arrest crimes, in which cybercriminals impersonate police officers and other government officials, digitally detain victims and coerce them into transferring large sums of money.The CBI said the Supreme Court of India has directed it to take concerted action against those involved in such crimes and the wider networks facilitating them.3 DIGITAL ARREST CASES, RS 42.36 CRORE DEFRAUDEDThe CBI has taken over several digital arrest-related cases from different states. In the three cases covered by the latest operation, victims were kept under digital arrest for periods ranging from one to three months and collectively defrauded of Rs 42.36 crore. One of the cases relates to BITS Pilani, where a victim was kept under digital arrest for three months and defrauded of Rs 7.67 crore by scammers impersonating police officers.In another case in Gujarat, scammers digitally arrested a victim for three months and defrauded the person of Rs 19.24 crore, again while posing as police officers. The third case is from Karnataka, where a victim was kept under digital arrest for a month and defrauded of Rs 15.45 crore.SEARCHES ACROSS 20 STATESThe CBI conducted coordinated searches at 89 locations spread across 20 states as part of the investigation.The searches were aimed at tracing the flow of the defrauded money, identifying the beneficiaries and handlers of the syndicates, and securing evidence before it could be destroyed.The agency said the operation was based on detailed financial and technical analysis, including examination of bank accounts and online account access data.During the searches, CBI teams seized banking documents, account-related records, digital devices and other crucial evidence. The seized material is now being examined forensically to establish the wider financial and technological infrastructure allegedly supporting the digital arrest networks operating across state boundaries.THREE ARRESTED FOR HANDLING FRAUD PROCEEDSThe CBI arrested three accused during the operation. Their examination allegedly revealed their specific roles in receiving, layering and dispersing the proceeds of the fraud.Akash, a resident of Haryana, was allegedly found to have received Rs 1.95 crore of the defrauded money in his bank account. The CBI said he had opened the account himself and transferred the money onwards to other accounts on the same day, indicating his direct and knowing role in laundering the proceeds.Raja Karmakar of Kolkata was allegedly found to have received Rs 1.5 crore of the fraud proceeds into his firm's account.The third accused, Jyoti Rani, allegedly received part of the defrauded amount in her account. According to the CBI, she withdrew a portion of the money in cash and transferred the remaining amount to other accounts, thereby participating in the dispersal of the funds to obscure their trail.The agency is continuing efforts to identify and apprehend other accused persons allegedly linked to the wider network.The CBI said it remains committed to taking decisive action against digital arrest crimes and organised cybercrime networks in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions.The agency said the investigation into all three cases is continuing, with further examination of the seized banking and digital evidence expected to help uncover the wider network behind the alleged frauds.- EndsPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 15:48 IST