New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation has launched a multinational operation, dubbed Operation CyStrike, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland, and Singapore, targeting transnational cyber-enabled financial crime networks operating across multiple countries, according to an official release.
On January 30, the CBI conducted coordinated searches at 35 locations across New Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and West Bengal. The searches led to the dismantling of cyber-enabled financial crime networks operated by accused individuals who targeted victims in the United States, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland, Singapore, and India using pseudonymous online identities to defraud them, the release said.
During the search operations, the CBI busted a transnational cyber-enabled financial crime network operating from New Delhi that targeted victims in the United States. Electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and computer hard drives containing incriminating digital evidence, were recovered and seized. The key operative, identified as Pfokrehrii Peter, was arrested at the spot.
The agency also dismantled another cyber-enabled financial crime network operated from New Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Karnataka. The network allegedly operated through the domain eservicemoi-kw.com under the guise of providing Kuwaiti e-visas and facilitating job appointment offers with leading Kuwaiti companies in exchange for money from Indian nationals. During the searches, electronic devices containing fake Kuwaiti e-visas and appointment offers were seized, along with cash amounting to Rs 60 lakh recovered from one of the accused.
In addition, the CBI dismantled cybercrime networks targeting victims in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Singapore. Mule accounts used to channel proceeds of crime from foreign victims to the accused were identified and taken down during the operation.
Operation CyStrike, led by the CBI in close coordination with INTERPOL and foreign law enforcement agencies, aims to take decisive action against organized technology-enabled crime networks. The agency said the operation has resulted in significant disruption and dismantling of major transnational cyber-enabled financial crime networks.
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