CBI Cracks Transnational Cyber Extortion Ring, Arrests Key Member in Mumbai

In a significant breakthrough against cross-border cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a crucial operative of a sophisticated transnational cyber extortion syndicate, identified as Prince Jashvantlal Anand, in Mumbai. The arrest, part of the CBI’s ongoing “Operation Chakra-V,” follows coordinated raids across Mumbai and Ahmedabad, dismantling a network accused of defrauding numerous citizens in the United States and Canada.

Anand is alleged to be a kingpin of the “Royal Tiger Gang,” a notorious syndicate that impersonated government officials, particularly law enforcement and banking authorities, to threaten and extort money from unsuspecting victims. The gang employed a well-structured “robocall” operation, utilizing pre-drafted scam scripts, forged identity badges, and telecommunication setups to lend credibility to their deceitful calls. Victims were coerced into believing they faced legal action for fabricated violations, subsequently being pressured into transferring funds.

The CBI’s investigation revealed that the proceeds of these illicit activities were largely funneled through cryptocurrencies, making the financial trail difficult to track across international jurisdictions. During the raids, authorities seized virtual digital assets worth approximately $45,000 from Anand’s possession, along with luxury vehicles, high-end accessories, and evidence of frequent foreign travel, pointing to a lavish lifestyle funded by the criminal enterprise.

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had previously flagged the “Royal Tiger Gang” as a significant Consumer Communication Information Services Threat (C-CIST) due to their systematic generation and transmission of unlawful robocalls.

Anand was produced before a CBI court and has been remanded to four days of CBI custody for further interrogation. This arrest underscores the CBI’s unwavering commitment to combating cyber-enabled financial crimes and its continued collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to dismantle such intricate criminal infrastructures. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and bring all perpetrators to justice.