CBI Cracks Down on Global Online Child Abuse Rings in ‘Operation Hawk-2025’
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Two Indian Men Arrested for Exploiting Minor Girls Online via Discord as CBI Strengthens Global Cybercrime Fight
In a major breakthrough in the global fight against online child sexual exploitation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully dismantled key cybercrime networks operating across international borders, under the newly launched Operation Hawk-2025. Initiated based on crucial intelligence inputs received from the United States, the operation targets criminals using digital platforms to prey on children.
First Arrest: Mangalore Man Lured, Exploited U.S. Minor via Discord
The CBI’s International Operations Division registered a case against Sheikh Muizz Ahmed, a resident of Mangalore, Karnataka, who is accused of using the social media platform Discord under the alias “heisenberg7343”. During March 2024, Ahmed allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a minor girl from the United States, coercing her to participate in indecent acts and share obscene photos and videos.
In accordance with sections 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 66D of the Information Technology Act of 2000, and 12 read with section 11 of the POCSO Act of 2012, the CBI’s International Operations Division filed a complaint against Sheik Muizz Ahmed and began an investigation.
Investigations revealed that the accused not only lured the minor through grooming tactics but also intimidated her into continued participation, using fear and manipulation as tools of abuse.
Acting swiftly, the CBI conducted extensive searches across locations in Mangalore and Mumbai, recovering key electronic evidence including mobile phones and a laptop containing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The accused was arrested and has since been remanded to judicial custody.
Second Arrest: Delhi-Based Man Blackmailed Minor Victim in Prolonged Abuse
In a parallel operation, the CBI filed a second case against Mukul Saini, a resident of Delhi, under relevant sections of the IPC, IT Act, and POCSO Act. Saini allegedly used multiple Discord handles — “Izumi#9412”, “Izumi#7070”, “Deadddd#6873”, and “Arisu” — to establish contact with a minor girl in the USA between 2023 and 2024.
Investigations found that Saini manipulated the victim into engaging in sexually explicit conversations and sharing obscene content. When the girl showed reluctance, he threatened to make her private images and videos viral, thereby subjecting her to continued harassment and emotional trauma.
CBI teams carried out raids across multiple Delhi locations, seizing mobile phones and a hard disk drive loaded with incriminating digital content that substantiates the charges.
CBI’s Ongoing Global Mission Against Child Exploitation
These arrests are part of CBI’s broader initiative to confront the rising tide of online child sexual exploitation with strong international cooperation. Under Operation Hawk-2025, the agency aims to track and dismantle cyber-predators who exploit digital anonymity to target children across the globe.
CBI has reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of children worldwide, stating:
“We will continue to work closely with international partners to bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice.”
This operation builds upon CBI’s earlier landmark campaigns — Operation CARBON (2021) and Operation Megh Chakra (2022) — which aimed at tracking online predators across multiple jurisdictions and bolstering global law enforcement collaboration.
