CBI Arrests Key Accused In $7.21 Million Cyber Fraud Case Targeting US Citizens

On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced that it had arrested a key accused on Wednesday in a transnational cyber-enabled financial fraud case linked to illegal call centres and the alleged defrauding of US nationals of more than $7.21 million.

The CBI stated that it registered a case on September 8 against accused Ankit Satishchandra Pandey and other unidentified persons.

Ahmedabad: The Base for the ₹70 Crore Global Scam

According to the CBI and official police FIR records, his registered residence is located in Chandkheda, Ahmedabad. The accused, Ankit Satishchandra Pandey, was operating the alleged transnational cyber-enabled financial fraud directly out of facilities based in Ahmedabad, targeting over 20 US citizens and defrauding them of approximately ₹70 crore ($7.21 million).

Following registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at Ahmedabad locations associated with the accused and electronic devices containing digital evidence were seized.

How the Scam Worked: CBI Statement

The CBI stated, 

“The accused persons, in criminal conspiracy with each other and unidentified associates, impersonated officers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), US Attorney, Critical Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other federal agencies, falsely informing the victims through VoIP communications that their identities had been used to access child pornography through their computers.”

The accused allegedly then induced the victims to withdraw funds from their bank accounts, purchase gold and hand it over to couriers engaged by them in the US.