CBI Ties Myanmar Hubs to Digital Arrest Frauds, 13 Charged
CBI Ties Myanmar Hubs to Digital Arrest Frauds, 13 Charged
The CBI charges 13 suspects in a major digital arrest fraud case, tracing funds to masterminds in Cambodia, Hong Kong and China as scam hubs spread from Myanmar.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has gathered evidence that slave compounds in Myanmar and nearby areas have become key hubs for executing digital arrest frauds. The agency has filed a charge sheet against 13 accused persons in one case, with two already arrested. Investigators found that several bank accounts used to receive victims' money and route funds were controlled by masterminds based in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and China. Multiple streams of evidence indicate that trafficked Indian nationals are coerced to run call-centre style cybercrime operations from inside these compounds. The operation, codenamed Chakra-V, was launched to comprehensively examine 10 significant incidents of digital arrest scams reported nationwide. In October 2025, searches were carried out around Delhi and other states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and West Bengal, yielding electronic devices, communication logs and financial records. Technical analysis reviewed over 15,000 IP addresses linked to these networks, revealing extensive cross-border connections and a web of accounts funneling victims’ funds to foreign handlers. As the probe widens, authorities emphasize that the criminal infrastructure relies on overseas coordination to sustain the scams, underscoring the need for international cooperation.
Cover image source: Slave compounds in Myanmar, neighbouring areas, digital arrest hubs: CBI 🔗
