Operations against transnational cybercrimes: CBI raids in Assam, 15 other states

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: CBI conducted raids in 115 locations in the country, including two in Assam, against cybercrime gangs on Tuesday and arrested 16 people. The drive led to the seizure of Rs 1.8 crore and 1.5 kg of gold.

CBI conducted the drive with the participation of and in coordination with the police forces of eight states and union territories. FBI (USA), Interpol, Canadian Police, Australian police and other private corporations also assisted the CBI in the raid.

The investigating agency seized digital evidence, including mobile, laptops etc., from the two locations in Assam.

CBI sources said that the operations intend to dismantle the infrastructure of international cybercrime dens in India and bring the perpetrators to justice. India's fight against transnational organized cybercrimes has thus achieved a milestone.

While the CBI is conducting searches in 11 cases at about 87 locations in 16 states, other state or union territory police forces are conducting searches at around 28 locations, including Assam Police in two places; Andaman and Nicobar Police in four; Chandragarh Police in three; Delhi police in five; Karnataka Police in 12 and Punjab Police in two. The investigation is going on.

According to police sources, cybercrime is maintaining an upward trend in Assam for the past few years. Assam ranked second in cybercrimes in India in 2021, with 4,846 registered cases in the state, including 704 online frauds.

According to sources, the challenge to curbing cybercrimes is that 'the criminals can be anywhere — beyond districts, states or outside the country. They operate using Wi-Fi or VPN. It makes it difficult for the investigators to track their identities or locations.

Sources said the victims should inform the police of such incidents immediately. They need to keep the screenshots of the messages that come to their mobile phones as records. The victims may call 1930 to lodge complaints.

The frauds misinform their prospective targets of 'loans, lotteries, gifts, lucrative job offers and the like' to lure them to share information regarding bank details, Aadhaar cards, PAN Cards'.

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