Digital Underworld Exposed: CBI Strikes Transnational Cybercrime Networks in Pan-India Sweep
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
NEW DELHI 02, February,2026— In a massive coordinated crackdown on January 30, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched “Operation CyStrike,” a multinational strike force aimed at dismantling sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crime networks.
Working in tandem with the FBI and law enforcement agencies from the UK, Kuwait, Ireland, and Singapore, federal agents carried out simultaneous raids at 35 locations across 10 Indian states—including Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal—to neutralize syndicates accused of defrauding international victims through digital impersonation and complex online scams.
Key Details of the Operation
- Participating Nations: USA (FBI), United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland, Singapore, and India.
- Geographic Reach: Searches spanned New Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and West Bengal.
- The Modus Operandi: Suspects utilized pseudonymous identities to target and defraud victims globally through transnational financial crime networks.
the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) successfully infiltrated and dismantled a high-tech “command centre” operating out of the national capital.
This specific cell, a vital artery of a larger transnational network, was dedicated almost exclusively to orchestrating sophisticated financial scams against residents in the United States.
Tactical Breakthrough and Seizures
The raid, characterized by its precision, yielded a significant haul of digital infrastructure.
Investigators recovered an extensive array of hardware that served as the backbone of the fraudulent operations, including:
- Laptops & Workstations: Configured to mask IP addresses and facilitate remote access to victim accounts.
- Encrypted Hard Disks: Containing what officials describe as “incriminating digital footprints” of the illicit transactions.
- Mobile Devices: Used to manage global communication channels and coordinate with overseas accomplices.
The Arrest of the “Key Operative”
Beyond the seizure of hardware, the CBI achieved a major tactical victory by arresting the network’s key operative on-site.
This individual is believed to be the mastermind behind the New Delhi cell, responsible for managing the day-to-day defrauding of American citizens under various pseudonymous identities.
The recovery of “live” evidence during the heat of the operation is expected to provide a roadmap for law enforcement to trace the flow of stolen funds across international borders.
“This operation isn’t just about seizing computers; it’s about severing the digital lifelines that these syndicates use to prey on vulnerable individuals across the globe.” — Summary of the enforcement action.
As part of the expansive Operation CyStrike, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has exposed a specialized fraud syndicate operating under the guise of a legitimate government portal.
The network, run by accused individuals across New Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Karnataka, utilized the fraudulent domain https://eservicemoi-Kw.com to target Indian citizens.
The group allegedly masqueraded as a Kuwaiti e-Visa service, selling fake work permits and “guaranteed” appointments at premier Kuwaiti companies in exchange for substantial sums of money.
Major Financial and Digital Recoveries
The raid on this specific cell led to the discovery of high-level forgery and significant stashes of illicit wealth:
- The “Paper” Trail: Laptops and hard drives were seized containing a library of forged Kuwaiti e-Visas and fraudulent job offer letters.
- Cash Seizure: In a significant breakthrough, investigators recovered ₹60 Lakhs in cash from the residence of one of the accused.
- Digital Forensics: Mobile devices and workstations were confiscated to map the extent of the recruitment scam.
Disruption of UK, Ireland, and Singapore Operations
Simultaneously, the CBI dismantled separate wings of this transnational network that preyed on victims in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Singapore. Beyond just stopping the scams, the agency struck at the financial heart of the operation by:
- Identifying and freezing multiple “mule accounts” used to funnel stolen foreign currency to the perpetrators in India.
- Mapping the flow of “proceeds of crime” from international victims to the local masterminds.
A Global Shield: The Impact of Operation CyStrike
Coordinated in close partnership with INTERPOL and various foreign law enforcement agencies, Operation CyStrike marks a decisive shift in India’s stance against organized, technology-enabled crime. By neutralizing these hubs, the CBI has effectively disrupted the infrastructure used by global syndicates to exploit both Indian nationals and the international community.
“The operation represents a significant blow to organized cyber-crime, proving that digital borders will not protect those who target innocent citizens for financial gain.”
Would you like me to create a comparative table of the different cells busted during this operation, or perhaps a brief advisory for citizens on how to spot fake visa websites?
