Pramesh S Jain
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),in coordination with the FBI(USA)and law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom,Kuwait,Ireland,and Singapore, launched a multinational crackdown—Operation CyStrike—to dismantle transnational cyber-enabled financial crime networks operating across India and abroad.
As part of the operation,the CBI conducted searches at 35 locations across New Delhi,Bihar,Maharashtra, Karnataka,Punjab,Rajasthan,Uttar Pradesh,Uttarakhand, Telangana,and West Bengal on January 30,2026.
The coordinated action led to the dismantling of multiple cybercrime syndicates that were operating under pseudonymous online identities and defrauding victims in the USA,UK,Kuwait,Ireland,Singapore,and India.
During the searches,the CBI busted a cyber-enabled financial crime network being operated from New Delhi, primarily targeting victims in the United States.
Several electronic devices,including laptops,mobile phones,and computer hard disks containing incriminating digital evidence,were seized. A key operative was arrested on the spot.
In another major breakthrough,the agency dismantled a cybercrime network operating from New Delhi, Ghaziabad,and Karnataka,which was running a fraudulent website—eservicemoi-kw.com—under the guise of providing Kuwaiti e-Visas and job appointment offers in leading Kuwaiti companies.
The accused allegedly cheated Indian nationals by demanding money in exchange for fake visas and employment offers.
During the operation,CBI seized electronic devices containing fake Kuwaiti e-Visas and forged appointment letters, and recovered Rs.60 lakh in cash from one of the accused.
The CBI also disrupted cybercrime networks targeting victims in the United Kingdom,Ireland, and Singapore. Mule bank accounts used to route proceeds of crime from foreign victims to the accused were identified and taken down.
Operation CyStrike,led by the CBI in close coordination with INTERPOL and foreign law enforcement agencies, aims to combat organised, technology-enabled financial crimes.The operation has resulted in the significant disruption of major transnational cybercrime networks.
The prime accused,identified as Pfokrehrii Peter,has been taken into custody for further investigation to trace the wider network and identify additional accomplices, the CBI said.
