New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a new prosecution complaint in a major cybercrime case, commonly referred to as a “digital arrest” scam, PTI reported. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent warnings in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address, in which he urged urging citizens to stay vigilant against cyber frauds.
The ED filed the case based on information from various police First Information Reports (FIRs) and had previously arrested eight suspects included in its October 10 chargesheet. The accused—identified as Charan Raj C, Kiran S K, Shahi Kumar M, Sachin M, Tamilarasan, Prakash R, Ajith R and Aravindan—allegedly managed a network of 24 shell companies used for money laundering. All eight are currently held in judicial custody, The Hindustan Times reported.
The investigation reveals that the group orchestrated a Rs 159 crore fraud scheme targeting victims across the country. They reportedly acquired multiple SIM cards linked with bank accounts of these shell companies, using them to set up fake WhatsApp accounts to carry out their scams.
Scammers evade detection using untraceable SIMs
According to the ED, these untraceable SIMs enabled the perpetrators to avoid quick detection. The scammers set up shell companies across states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, among others, to facilitate the transfer and laundering of cybercrime proceeds. Many of these companies were registered at co-working spaces, with no actual business activities, and submitted fabricated bank documents to meet regulatory requirements before the Registrar of Companies.
Funds funneled through mule accounts
The proceeds from these scams were moved through “mule” accounts, rapidly converted into cryptocurrency and sent overseas. The ED has also seized critical evidence, including cheque books and communication records, linking the accused to a larger syndicate involved in laundering cybercrime funds. One suspect was reportedly instrumental in connecting with both domestic and international fraudsters and played a role in setting up bank accounts for shell companies such as Cyberforest Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
