Member of cyber extortion syndicate accused of defrauding people in US and Canada arrested from Mumbai
Mumbai: The CBI has arrested an operative, Prince Anand, from Mumbai linked to a cyber-enabled extortion and fraud syndicate.
Members of the syndicate are accused of defrauding several citizens of the US and Canada by impersonating govt officials and threatening them with action for fake violations.
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Anand was found to be "leading a lavish lifestyle, as evidenced by the recovery of luxury vehicles, high-end accessories, frequent foreign visits and substantial unaccounted wealth", said the CBI.
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) previously identified the network allegedly operated by the accused, who referred to themselves as the 'Royal Tiger Gang', as a serious consumer communication information services threat (C-CIST).
The gang generated and transmitted unlawful robocalls, impersonating govt agencies, banks, and utility service providers systematically, aiming to deceive and defraud US consumers, the CBI stated.
Robocalls involve delivering pre-recorded phone messages through automated dialling software. The CBI said the accused possessed a well-organised ecosystem used for committing cyber frauds, including telecommunication set-ups, pre-drafted scam scripts, forged identity badges, and ID cards purported to be from Canadian law enforcement authorities.
The CBI conducted searches at multiple locations in Mumbai and Ahmedabad on Wednesday, leading to the arrest. The CBI also seized virtual digital assets worth $45,000 from Anand's possession.
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