New Delhi and Amritsar, August 28, 2025 — In a big joint effort against cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from India and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from the U.S. have taken down a large international cybercrime group that cheated Americans out of more than $40 million (₹350 crore).
This operation, called Chakra-IV, is a major win in the fight against digital fraud that crosses borders.
Officials say it shows how sharing information and working together between countries can help fight cybercrime effectively.
The Scam Used Fear and Lies
The criminal group focused on tech support scams, a type of online trick that is becoming more common.
They operated from 2023 to 2025 and targeted mostly older Americans. They used fake pop-ups that looked like warnings from real companies like Microsoft or Apple. These pop-ups said a computer was infected with malware and provided fake support numbers that led to call centers in India.
Once victims called, they were matched with scammers pretending to be real technicians.
These scammers used technical terms and fake screens to trick victims into letting them access their computers. They then showed fake virus messages and asked victims to pay for “software” or “repairs.”
The money was hidden using a mix of cryptocurrency, fake bank accounts, and people who helped move cash.
Scammers used fear and trust to take millions from American households.
How Authorities Took Action
The operation began with information shared by the FBI and Interpol.
The CBI filed a case on August 18, 2025, and soon carried out raids in Amritsar and New Delhi.
More than 34 people were arrested, including three main leaders:
– Jigar Ahmed
– Yash Khurana
– Inder Jeet Singh Bali
The group used a fake call center called “Digikaps – The Future of Digital” near a college in Amritsar.
During the raids, investigators found:
– ₹54 lakh in cash
– 85 hard drives
– 44 mobile phones
– 16 laptops
– Hundreds of documents
These items may have information that can help find more criminals and understand how the scam worked.
Chakra-IV: Part of a Bighttps://cbi.gov.in/ Global Fight
This is the fourth part of Operation Chakra, a long-term CBI plan to fight cybercrime from India.
Earlier parts focused on illegal online betting, phishing, and fake loan apps.
Chakra-IV is bigger than before because of how complicated the scam was.
Besides CBI and FBI, agencies from Canada, Singapore, and Interpol also helped track the money and shut down the criminals’ online tools.
CBI Director Praveen Sood said the operation shows how important it is for countries to work together to fight cybercrime.
FBI officials said cybercriminals take advantage when countries don’t share information.
Why the Elderly Were Targeted
Cyber experts say the group chose older people on purpose.
Older adults are less familiar with online dangers, more likely to be scared by fake warnings, and more willing to follow instructions from someone they think is trustworthy.
Scammers used messages that made people feel like their computers were in danger.
This led to quick decisions, often involving large sums of money taken from savings.
One expert said, “The scam played on fear.
The victims were tricked into thinking their whole digital life was in danger if they didn’t act fast.”
Global Trends in Cyber Fraud
Tech support scams are now one of the fastest-growing kinds of online fraud.
In 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported losses of over $1.3 billion from these scams alone. India, with its growing tech industry and affordable digital tools, has become a center for many of these scams.
However, Indian authorities have been working harder to stop such crimes, especially after pressure from other countries.
Operation Chakra-IV shows India is taking a strong stand against global cybercrime.
What Comes Next
The accused are in CBI custody, and they may face charges like cheating, conspiracy, forgery, and breaking laws around computer use.
Investigators are still looking through the seized devices to find more links to other groups.
The FBI is also helping American victims recover their money and collect more information against the accused.
Both agencies plan to keep working together to stop cybercrime globally.
A Reminder for Everyone Online
Experts say this case is a warning for all internet users.
Scammers will always try to use people’s fears and weaknesses. Technology alone can’t stop all scams.
Officials suggest people follow these basic safety tips:
– Don’t believe pop-ups or messages that come out of nowhere.
– Never call numbers provided in fake alerts.
– Don’t let unknown people access your computer remotely.
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