Investigations reveal interstate network with suspected international links targeting senior citizens
New Delhi, February 25, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted extensive searches across six states and arrested three individuals in connection with a high-value cyber fraud case involving approximately ₹1.86 crore, officials said on Tuesday.
The case relates to the defrauding of a senior citizen from Kerala’s Kottayam district through a “Digital Arrest” scam, a method increasingly used by cybercriminals to intimidate victims and extract money. Following a detailed digital forensic examination and financial trail analysis, investigators uncovered a sophisticated network operating across multiple states, with indications of international linkages.
As part of a coordinated crackdown on February 25, the CBI carried out searches at various locations in Goa, Bengaluru (Karnataka), Palakkad (Kerala), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Delhi. The operation targeted key components of the cyber fraud ecosystem, including mule bank accounts and fraudulently obtained SIM cards.
During the searches, officials seized several digital devices, debit cards, bank documents, and other incriminating materials. The seized items are currently under detailed examination to identify further leads.
According to the CBI, a mule account operator was arrested from a hotel in Goa. He is suspected to have played a crucial role in managing bank accounts used to route fraudulent funds and facilitate cryptocurrency transactions linked to the scam.
In a separate development, a shell company operator was apprehended in Nagpur for allegedly managing mule accounts through a front company. Investigators recovered a significant number of debit cards and digital devices from premises associated with him.
The third accused, arrested from Bengaluru, is believed to be involved in procuring SIM cards fraudulently. Officials said he allegedly lured individuals by offering “5G SIM upgrades” and used falsified KYC documents to activate SIM cards, which were later used in cyber fraud operations believed to have originated from abroad.
The CBI stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional domestic and international collaborators and dismantle the broader cyber fraud network. Officials emphasized that the operation marks a significant step in tackling organized cybercrime and protecting public trust in digital systems.
