A CBI spokesperson said in a statement that the investigation so far has revealed that fraudsters operating from abroad use websites, digital platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to target victims in India. They lure individuals through part-time job scams, task-based fraud and promises of high returns on initial investment. Funds deposited by victims are quickly transferred through a network of ‘mule accounts’ to obscure their origin.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today (December 4) conducted searches at 10 locations in Delhi and surrounding areas in connection with the ongoing investigation into an international cyber-enabled financial fraud involving Rs 117 crore. The FIR alleged that unidentified organized cyber criminals and suspected foreign actors were engaged in systematic financial fraud across India.
A CBI spokesperson said in a statement that the investigation so far has revealed that fraudsters operating from abroad use websites, digital platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to target victims in India. They lure individuals through part-time job scams, task-based fraud and promises of high returns on initial investment. Funds deposited by victims are quickly transferred through a network of ‘mule accounts’ to obscure their origin.
These funds are ultimately withdrawn overseas via ATMs or used for wallet top-ups on fintech platforms such as ‘PYPL’, facilitated by international payment networks, often referred to as POS transactions. Is hidden in. An analysis of 3,903 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) between January 1, 2023, and October 17, 2023, revealed that fraudsters misappropriated around Rs 117 crore. These funds were mainly withdrawn from Dubai and other UAE locations. The investigation identified 3,295 Indian bank accounts involved in these fraudulent transactions. Funds sent through these accounts were also used to purchase cryptocurrencies.