In a cybercrime case commonly referred to as “digital arrest,” the Enforcement Directorate filed a new prosecution complaint on Saturday, according to media reports. In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the public against these types of scams, and the agency took action a week later.
After reviewing several police FIRs, the anti-money laundering agency filed a case and detained eight of the individuals listed in its chargesheet dated October 10. Charan Raj C, Kiran S K, Tamilarasan, Prakash R, Ajith R, Shahi Kumar M, Sachin M, and Aravindan are the defendants. In order to launder money, the accused also operated 24 linked shell corporations. Under judicial custody, all of the accused are being held in jail.
In this instance, victims nationwide were defrauded of ₹159 crore through a variety of digital arrest schemes. The scammers allegedly acquired hundreds of SIM cards, connected them to the bank accounts of shell firms, and used them to make phoney WhatsApp accounts.
“The anonymity afforded by these untraceable SIMs allows scammers to defraud victims with a reduced risk of immediate detection. The scammers created 24 shell companies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and some other states to facilitate the acquisition and laundering of proceeds from cybercrimes,” ED said.
These shell firms used fictitious bank statements as evidence of their start of business in filings with the Registrar of firms. They were registered at co-working space locations, where there is no real company presence. According to the agency’s investigation, the scammers also used “mule” accounts to transfer the proceeds of crime, which were instantly transformed into cryptocurrencies and sent overseas.
Additionally, the ED seized “incriminating” data, including communication logs and chequebooks, which show these people were involved in a conspiracy that laundered cybercrime revenues from India.
One of the defendants in the case helped register bank accounts for shell corporations such as Cyberforest Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and played a significant part in working with scammers both in India and abroad.
Fresh advisory
In a public advisory released on Sunday, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) urged people to be mindful of “Digital Arrests.” Additionally, the organization cautioned the public that “those making video calls are not police, CBI, Customs officials, or judges.”
The Home Ministry-affiliated body urged people to avoid falling for these “tricks” and to report such crimes “immediately” by going on to the www.cybercrime.gov.in webpage or by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.
Fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers call susceptible individuals and accuse them of significant financial offences in digital arrest scams. The majority of the prospective victims are elderly people who are asked to pay large quantities of money as punishment for such purported crimes and are placed on video chats for ‘interrogation’.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: CIO News LinkedIn Account | CIO News Facebook | CIO News Youtube | CIO News Twitter
About us:
CIO News is the premier platform dedicated to delivering the latest news, updates, and insights from the CIO industry. As a trusted source in the technology and IT sector, we provide a comprehensive resource for executives and professionals seeking to stay informed and ahead of the curve. With a focus on cutting-edge developments and trends, CIO News serves as your go-to destination for staying abreast of the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and IT. Founded in June 2020, CIO News has rapidly evolved with ambitious growth plans to expand globally, targeting markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, USA, and the UK.
CIO News is a proprietary of Mercadeo Multiventures Pvt Ltd.
