The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two people in Gujarat in connection with an alleged ₹11.42 crore digital-arrest fraud and conducted coordinated searches at 22 locations across 10 states. The action was carried out under Operation Chakra-VI, as part of the agency’s wider investigation into organised cybercrime networks.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas. According to the CBI, they allegedly helped receive, layer and transfer part of the money involved in the case. The agency said ₹2.5 crore was allegedly received through the bank account of M/s Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd before being transferred to multiple other accounts.
Victim Allegedly Kept Under Digital Arrest for Three Months
According to the CBI, the victim was allegedly kept under a fake “digital arrest” for around three months by people impersonating police officers and officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The victim was allegedly coerced into transferring ₹11.42 crore into accounts controlled by the suspected network. The CBI said the latest searches were based on detailed financial and technical analysis of the money trail.
A “digital arrest” is not a recognised legal procedure. In such frauds, criminals may falsely claim to represent law-enforcement or government agencies and use threats or intimidation to pressure victims into transferring money.
₹2.5 Crore Allegedly Routed Through Private Company Account
A major part of the investigation concerns how the alleged fraud proceeds were received and moved between accounts.
The CBI alleges that Prasad and Biswas used the bank account of M/s Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd to receive ₹2.5 crore from the ₹11.42 crore allegedly transferred by the victim. The agency said the money was subsequently moved to multiple accounts allegedly belonging to associates, with the stated purpose of obscuring the money trail.
Tracing transactions, identifying beneficiaries and examining the movement of suspected proceeds are central areas of Financial Investigation in complex financial-crime matters.
Digital Devices and APK Files Also Under Probe
The CBI has also alleged that the two accused were involved in using bank accounts and APK files to siphon proceeds connected with digital-arrest frauds and other cybercrimes.
Investigators seized banking documents, account records, digital devices and other material during the searches. Chats, messages and documents recovered from the devices are being examined as investigators attempt to identify other members of the alleged network.
The agency has not publicly detailed every aspect of the alleged APK-related activity in this particular case. The seized material is being examined forensically as part of the continuing investigation.
Searches Conducted Across 10 States
The September 27 operation involved searches at 22 locations across 10 states. The CBI said the locations were identified after analysis of financial transactions and technical information linked to the alleged fraud.
Investigators recovered banking records, account-related documents, digital devices and other material that could help establish connections between the suspected handlers and the wider network.
The agency is examining not only those allegedly involved in impersonating officials but also individuals who may have helped receive, transfer or manage the alleged proceeds.
CBI Reports 142 Searches in Four Digital-Arrest Cases
The latest operation forms part of a broader CBI crackdown under Operation Chakra-VI.
The agency said that across four digital-arrest cases during the previous 30 days, it had conducted coordinated searches at 142 locations across 22 states and arrested 17 accused persons. The operations are aimed at tracing suspected proceeds, identifying beneficiaries and handlers, and securing evidence.
Earlier operations under the same initiative included searches across 89 locations in 20 states in three digital-arrest cases.
Investigation Continues Into Other Network Members
The CBI is continuing to examine the financial and technical network allegedly connected with the ₹11.42 crore case.
Investigators are looking into destination accounts, transaction records, digital communications and other seized material to identify additional people who may have been involved.
The allegations against Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas remain under investigation and have not been established in court.