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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against 13 accused persons in a major “Digital Arrest” cyber fraud case, as part of its focused, case-by-case crackdown under Operation Chakra-V against organised transnational cybercrimes. The CBI registered the case suo motu. It aims to comprehensively investigate ten significant incidents of Digital Arrest scams reported across the country. These scams have seen a steep rise in recent times.
In October 2025, the CBI conducted coordinated searches across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and West Bengal. These searches led to the recovery of incriminating material including electronic devices, communication logs, financial records and other digital evidence. On the basis of evidence recovered, three accused persons were arrested, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.
Digital Arrest : Myanmar Slave Compounds Exposed in CBI Probe
During the investigation, the CBI analysed over 15,000 IP addresses associated with the scam networks. The technical analysis exposed extensive cross-border connections and showed that masterminds in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and China controlled several key bank accounts used to collect and route victim funds. Investigators isolated India-based IP addresses from the vast technical dataset, enabling targeted searches and the identification of domestic operatives.
Importantly, multiple streams of evidence now indicate that slave compounds operating in Myanmar and neighbouring areas have emerged as major hubs for the execution of Digital Arrest frauds, where trafficked Indian nationals are coerced to run call-centre style cybercrime operations. These findings align with intelligence gathered during parallel CBI investigations into cyber-slavery and organised digital exploitation networks in South-East Asia.
CBI Exposes Tech & Money Network Behind Cyber Fraud
The investigation has further generated significant leads on the financial trail. It has provided insights into call-flow patterns and VoIP routing. There are findings on remote-access tool misuse. Moreover, there is information about the broader technology infrastructure supporting Digital Arrest scams. This systematic, case-by-case dismantling of each operational component remains central to CBI’s evolving cybercrime enforcement strategy.
Based on the evidence collected, the CBI has filed a chargesheet against 13 accused within the statutory 60-day period under provisions of the IPC and IT Act. The investigation is ongoing. It aims to identify additional conspirators, facilitators, and money-mule handlers. The goal is also to uncover the overseas infrastructure enabling these transnational cyber fraud operations.
The CBI remains committed to identifying, targeting, and dismantling organised digital fraud ecosystems—both within India and across borders. They achieve this through a combination of technical intelligence, financial tracking, human intelligence, and coordinated enforcement action.
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