CBI Probes $6 Million Tech, Identity Theft Fraud Involving Over 20 US Citizens

New Delhi: The Central Burau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe into an alleged international technology-support and identity-theft fraud in which more than 20 US citizens were reportedly targeted and losses of around $6 million are under investigation.

The agency has registered a first information report (FIR) naming Ankit Satish Chandra Pandey, a resident of Ahmedabad, along with unknown persons. The case includes allegations of cheating, criminal conspiracy, forgery and offences under the Information Technology Act.

How the alleged fraud was carried out

The investigation centres on a suspected tech-support fraud operation targeting people in the United States. Such schemes typically involve fraudsters posing as representatives of technology companies or other trusted organisations and persuading victims that their computers, accounts or personal information have been compromised.

The CBI's latest case comes against the backdrop of several investigations into India-based networks allegedly targeting US residents through fake technical-support calls and online impersonation.

In an earlier investigation, the agency had uncovered a syndicate operating through fake call centres in Punjab and Delhi. Investigators said the group allegedly posed as representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions and law-enforcement agencies to extract money from US nationals.

Identity theft angle under investigation

The current FIR also involves allegations relating to identity theft, adding another dimension to the investigation.

The agency is expected to examine how the personal and financial information of the alleged victims was obtained and used, as well as the methods used to communicate with them and transfer money.

Investigators will also look at the suspected financial trail to determine whether the alleged proceeds were transferred through multiple accounts or other channels.

CBI examining wider network

The naming of Pandey in the FIR does not by itself establish guilt. The agency has also named unknown others, indicating that investigators are examining whether additional people were involved in the alleged operation.

The CBI's probe is expected to include examination of digital evidence, financial transactions, electronic communications and other records that could help establish the structure of the suspected network.

The agency has previously used financial and technical analysis to trace money flows in international cybercrime cases. In August, the CBI said it had seized phones, laptops, storage devices, documents and cryptocurrency wallets while investigating an international tech-support fraud and extortion network.

Earlier CBI crackdown on digital fraud

The latest investigation follows a series of CBI operations against cybercrime networks.

Under Operation Chakra-VI, the agency recently conducted coordinated searches at 89 locations across 20 states in three digital-arrest cases. The cases involved alleged fraud of a combined ₹42.36 crore, with three people arrested for allegedly handling and dispersing fraud proceeds.

In those cases, victims were allegedly impersonated by people posing as police officers and other government officials and were kept under so-called digital arrest before being pressured to transfer money.

Investigation is continuing

The latest $6 million case highlights the international reach of technology-support and identity-theft fraud networks. With more than 20 US citizens reportedly involved as victims, investigators will now seek to establish the complete financial and digital trail.

The allegations in the FIR remain subject to investigation, and the charges against the named individual have not been established by a court.