Digi arrest scam: CBI raids 80 locations in 16 states, 2 held

Chennai: A Chennai resident was among the two arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) during coordinated searches at more than 80 locations across 16 states as part of a nationwide crackdown on a network linked to more than 200 digital arrest scams.They were arrested for their role in operating shell companies and mule bank accounts used to launder proceeds of cyber fraud. The arrested were identified as B Naresh, a resident of Chennai, and Sanjib Saha, from Kolkata. Investigators claimed that the two acted as key mule agents by incorporating shell companies and opening and operating bank accounts used to launder nearly ₹2 crore generated through the scams.The searches were carried out under the name ‘Operation Chakra-VI’, during which the CBI deployed 60 special teams across Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Karnataka and Odisha.The investigation also uncovered a fraudulent website with a domain name deceptively similar to the official website of the Supreme Court of India. The agency said the fraudsters used the fake website to impersonate judicial authorities and deceive victims into believing they were under ‘digital arrest’.The CBI said it would alert the relevant law enforcement agencies in those countries through appropriate channels. The investigation is continuing.