New Delhi — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime network targeting German nationals since 2021, authorities said Monday. The operation, dubbed OPERATION CHAKRA-IV, was coordinated with German law enforcement.
The CBI’s International Operations Division registered a case on Feb. 12 against Rahul Shaw, Shubham Sharma, Rajeev Budhiraja, and others under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Investigators allege that between 2021 and 2022, the accused individuals fraudulently gained remote access to victims’ computer systems and bank accounts by posing as tech support agents. They falsely claimed the victims’ bank accounts had been compromised and manipulated them into transferring approximately 646,032 euros into cryptocurrency wallets controlled by the perpetrators.
Following the case registration, the CBI conducted extensive searches at multiple locations linked to the accused, uncovering incriminating evidence. Between Feb. 14 and Feb. 17, raids were carried out at six locations across Delhi, Kolkata, and Siliguri, exposing a transnational financial crime network funneling illicit funds through virtual assets.
Authorities arrested Rahul Shaw in Siliguri, a key suspect in the case. Searches at his residence led to the seizure of seven mobile phones, a laptop, and documents linked to the crime.
CBI also discovered and dismantled an illegal call center at Webel IT Park in Matigara, Darjeeling, which Shaw and others allegedly operated. Investigators recovered 24 hard disks containing digital evidence from the call center.
CBI officials said further operations are underway to trace the illicit proceeds and identify other network members.
OPERATION CHAKRA-IV is part of CBI’s broader initiative to combat organized cyber-enabled financial crimes through global law enforcement cooperation. The agency said it remains committed to dismantling transnational cybercriminal networks using INTERPOL channels and international collaboration.
