The Crime Investigation Bureau (CBI) has conducted raids in as many as 76 locations in India to bring down organized cybercrime networks after Microsoft and Amazon filed complaints. (Pexels)

CBI Launches Operation Chakra-2 to Investigate Cybercrime Network Following Microsoft and Amazon Complaints

Adriana MaraisOctober 19, 23 Amazon, Microsoft

According to officials, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out raids at 76 locations nationwide on Thursday, October 19, as part of Operation Chakra-2. This action was taken following the registration of 5 separate cases by the CBI, including Microsoft and Amazon, related to online financial fraud.

One of these cases involves an organized network that engaged in online scams to get Rs. 100 billion from innocent victims through a cryptocurrency scam, according to a PTI report. The case was initiated based on information provided by the Money Laundering Investigation Center (FIU).

CBI conducts Operation Chakra-2, raids 76 places

In two other cases, accused individuals were reported to have used call centers masquerading as Amazon and Microsoft tech support agents to target foreigners. According to the report, the CBI conducted searches at nine locations of the call center as part of this operation. The CBI did not divulge details of the remaining two cases as the operation was still ongoing.

The CBI collected information from agencies like FIU, FBI, Interpol and others and acted quickly on the information received. The searches were conducted in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Delhi and West Bengal, PTI quoted officials as saying.

Operation Chakra-2 is a continuation of the CBI’s previous raid in October 2022 on telephone conversations involving financial scams. This was the first operation chakra.

The CBI, after conducting the operation for the first time last year, revealed that Operation Chakra was launched to trace cybercriminals involved in financial crimes and fraud. It was launched in cooperation with Interpol, the FBI and the police forces of several countries with the common goal of preventing the spread of cybercrime, especially financial scams.

“The purpose of the operation is to dismantle the infrastructure of these international cybercriminal groups in India and bring these perpetrators to justice. India’s fight against international organized cybercrime has thus reached a significant milestone,” the agency said in a statement, according to a PTI report. .