Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Vishnu Rathi, a suspected cybercriminal from Mumbai, for allegedly defrauding a US citizen of USD 453,953 by posing as technical support. This arrest is part of Operation CHAKRA-III, an ongoing effort to dismantle a sophisticated cybercrime network that has been targeting victims internationally since 2022.

The CBI's International Operations Division registered a case on September 9, 2024, against Rathi and others under Sections 120-B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 66D read with 75 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The investigation, conducted in close collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the USA, revealed that the accused gained unauthorized remote access to the victim's computer and bank account between June and August 2022. Pretending to offer tech support, they misled the victim into transferring USD 453,953 to cryptocurrency wallets under their control.

Following the case registration, the CBI conducted extensive searches at multiple locations in Mumbai and Kolkata on September 12 and 13. They recovered significant evidence, including 57 gold bars, Rs. 16,00,000 in cash, a mobile phone, a laptop used for cryptocurrency management, and other incriminating documents from Rathi's residence.

The CBI's ongoing operations aim to identify additional victims and recover further proceeds from the crime. The agency is working with the FBI and INTERPOL to track leads and dismantle the international cybercrime network involved in this case.

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