Chandigarh Police Crackdown on Transnational Cybercrime Syndicate

In a significant breakthrough, Chandigarh police have dismantled a transnational cybercrime syndicate, detaining 10 individuals connected to the network. The operation revealed a sophisticated network exploiting digital vulnerabilities, extending its influence from Southeast Asian countries into India.

The syndicate's modus operandi involved impersonating officials from central agencies like CBI and TRAI. Members used SIM boxes to convert internet calls into local calls, effectively avoiding detection by telecom authorities. They managed to execute 200,000 interactive voice response calls daily, culminating in video call scams with fake police setups to extort money.

The investigation commenced following a complaint from a Chandigarh woman who lost Rs 1.01 crore to the scam. Police traced the scam's roots across various Indian cities, seizing more than Rs 36.98 lakh from accounts linked to the accused. The case highlights the pressing need for stronger telecommunications and cybersecurity measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)