Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with its counterparts from the United States, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland and Singapore, has dismantled transnational cybercrime networks across many states. Two alleged key operatives were arrested.
The arrested accused have been identified as Suraj Srivastava, who was involved in the Kuwait e-visa racket, and one Pfokrehrii Peter. The action was taken as part of Operation Cystrike, which is being led by the CBI in collaboration with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies, including the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 30, the CBI conducted searches at 35 locations in Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and West Bengal. During the operation, it uncovered transnational cyber financial crime networks operated by accused persons targeting victims from the US, UK, Kuwait, Ireland, Singapore and India online using pseudonymous identities.
The agency seized electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones and computer hard drives containing “incriminating digital evidence”.
The CBI busted another network run by accused persons from Delhi, Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Karnataka through a website “through which Indian nationals were offered Kuwaiti e-visas and jobs in leading Kuwaiti companies in exchange of money,” the CBI said.
Confiscated electronic devices
“During the search operations, the CBI seized electronic devices such as laptops/mobile phones/computer hard drives containing fake Kuwaiti e-visas and job appointment offer in leading Kuwaiti companies. An amount of ₹60,000 was also recovered from one of the accused persons during the search proceedings,” the agency said.
Mule accounts involved in channeling proceeds of crime from foreign victims to accused persons were identified and seized at the behest of the CBI.
Published – 02 Feb 2026 20:04 IST