Operation Chakra-V:
CBI raids 10 locations across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Delhi, Hisar, Lucknow for crackdown on cyber-enabled financial crimes

Mumbai, June 13, 2025

The CBI also arrested a man from Maharashtra’s Thane district who was supplying pre-activated SIM cards and mule bank accounts to cybercriminal networks.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday carried out raids at 10 locations across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Delhi, Hisar, and Lucknow as part of its nationwide crackdown on cyber-enabled financial crimes under Operation Chakra-V.

The central agency also arrested a man from Kalyan in Maharashtra’s Thane district during the raids.

According to the CBI, the massive search action was initiated in connection with a case that pertains to a well-orchestrated fraud where unsuspecting individuals were cheated through a fraudulent mobile application and WhatsApp groups.

“The perpetrators deceitfully lured innocent investors by promising shares of reputed listed companies at discounted rates. Once the victims invested their hard-earned money, the accused misappropriated the funds, causing significant financial loss to the public,” the agency stated.

During the searches, the central probe agency seized incriminating digital and documentary evidence from the premises of the accused persons, exposing the intricate modus operandi employed to dupe innocent investors.

The Kalyan man arrested by the CBI has been identified as one Pratik Tanpure. He was actively supplying pre-activated SIM cards and mule bank accounts to cybercriminal networks, thereby enabling and sustaining their illegal operations. Substantial incriminating material was seized from his possession during the searches, the CBI said.

According to the CBI, Operation Chakra-V is aimed at dismantling cybercrime syndicates and infrastructure supporting the commission of such offences.

[The Indian Express]